Drug Therapy (biological)

Question 1

What are examples of typical anti-psychotic drugs?

Answer 1

• chlorpromazine (effective sedative)
• phenothiazines
• thorazine

Question 2

How do typical anti-psychotic drugs work?

Answer 2

• aim to reduce positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations) caused by high dopamine levels
• dopamine antagonist- reduce dopamine levels
• drugs bind to D2 receptors
• must bind to 60-75% of D2 receptors and block activity to be effective

Question 3

Evaluate typical anti-psychotic drugs.

Answer 3

(+) Thornley (2003) supporting evidence that drugs are effective. Compared cholpromazine to placebo and found better functioning and reduced severity of symptoms. Relapse rate was lower.

(+) effective in minimising symptoms. Cheap to produce and distribute. 97% of sz patients use drug therapy.

(+)/(-) Marder (1996) found they are good at reducing positive symptoms but not with negative symptoms.

(-) terrible side effects (dizzieness, agitation, sleepiness, stiff jaw, weight gain, itchy skin) and worse long term effect (tardive dyskinesia - involuntary movement in mouth and chin)

(-) fatal long term symptoms - 2% suffer from ‘neuroleptic malignant syndrome’

(-) ‘extra pyramidal side effects’ - dysfunction in nerve tacts

Question 4

What are examples of atypical anti-psychotic drugs?

Answer 4

• risperidone

- clozapine

Question 5

What do atypical anti-psychotic drugs aim to do?

Answer 5

• block activity of dopamine by acting on D2 receptors (reduced dopamine levels)
• temporarily occupy D2 receptors and then allows normal dopamine transmission
• increase serotonin activity by binding to serotonin receptors
• reduces positive and negative symptoms

Question 6

When and why is clozapine used?

Answer 6

• high risk of suicide
• binds to dopamine receptor
• acts on serotonin and glutamate receptors
• improves moods, reduction in anxiety/depression, improves cognitive functioning

Question 7

When and why is risperidone used?

Answer 7

• as effective as clozapine but with less side effects
• small doses given initially
• binds more strongly to dopamine receptors

Question 8

Evaluate atypical drugs.

Answer 8

(+) proven to be most effective treatment compared to other types of therapy

(+) Meltzer (2012) supports idea that clozapine is 30-50% more effective than typical drugs in minimising symptoms.

(-) ‘revolving door phenomenon’, patients leave and come back bc drugs treat symptoms not the cause. Symptoms come back if drugs are continuously taken.

(-) individual differences, drugs might work for some patients but some can be resistant.

(-) ethical issues ‘chemical straitjacket’, only controls patients not help them

(-) serious side effects, clozapine can cause blood condition affecting immunity