Drug Therapy for SZ Flashcards
Outline 6 points about drug therapy
- If it is assumed that psychological disorders occur biologically, then treatment should also originate biologically
- First generation antipsychotics - block dopamine receptors to prevent over-activity which improves disturbed thoughts and behaviours through a calming effect
- E.g. chlorpromazine, improves disturbed thoughts, feelings and behaviour
- Second generation antipsychotics - work on multiple neurotransmitters such as the serotonin and dopamine receptors by temporarily binding with them and disappearing to allow normal activity to combat positive and negative symptoms with little side effects
- E.g. clozapine
- May be taken in tablet or syrup form for a short period of time or for the rest of their life
Supporting research?
P- Meltzer et al (2004)
E- Found that haloperidol (FGA) gave significant improvements in all areas of functioning compared with a placebo
E- This is a starting point for saying antipsychotics work and are an effective treatment for SZ
Side effects?
P- Many side effects of FGA’s
E- Short term = sleepiness, constipation and extrapyramidal side effects, such as tremors and tardive dyskinesia
Long term = blurred vision and weight gain
E- Means that patients stop taking their medication. Rosa et al (2005) found only 50% complied with taking their FGA’s
Strength?
P- Application
E- Antipsychotics don’t require effort on behalf of the patient unlike a therapy and are practical in the sense that if a patient forgets to take them then a practitioner can inject it
E- Therefore, they allow patients to stay in society rather than become institutionalised. This is beneficial for all mental illnesses as it removes negative stigmas
Weakness?
P - Expensive
E - Whilst patients may be able to obtain them from the NHS some in other countries will not have that privilege and some prescriptions last a life time
E - Therefore it will be expensive for the majority
