drug treatments for anorexia - essay plan

Question 1

introduction

Answer 1

• low levels of NT in AN sufferers
• serotonin associated with suppression of appetite and mood
• NICE guidelines = drugs not used as a first choice as don’t help with core symptoms so a multidisciplinary approach is needed

Question 2

paragraph 1 - SSRI (AO1)

Answer 2

• work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the presynaptic neuron so more passed to the post synpatic neuron
• helps with anxiety and depression
• low level of serotonin metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid
• spike in the gastrointenstine causing the feeling of nausea when the person does eat.
• side effects = lethargy, nausea, dry mouth and gaining weight

Question 3

paragraph one - strength (SSRI)

Answer 3

• patients with comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety may benefit from the use of medication
• therefore less likely to drop out of other therapies making treatment more successful

Question 4

paragraph one - weakness (SSRI)

Answer 4

• Ferguson et al
• compared 24 patients taking SSRI and 16 treated without SSRI
• no significant difference between them in terms of body weight, clinical symptoms or anxiety
• therefore no significant affect on treatment

Question 5

paragraph two - antipsychotic drugs (AO1)

Answer 5

• mainly focus on dopamine function
• olanzapine used to treat anxiety as it blocks absorption of dopamine and serotonin
• helps with weight gain and changing obsessive thinking
• start medication quickly to be effective and then use a maintenance dose

Question 6

paragraph two - stength (antipsychotics)

Answer 6

• cheaper than other forms of therapy and keeps people out of hospitals
• this frees up resources and staff
• therefore benefits the healthcare system overall

Question 7

paragraph two - weakness (antipsychotics)

Answer 7

• turns a blind eye to the problem and may make people feel forced into taking medication
• may only be masking symptoms of the disorder rather than treating the root cause

Question 8

paragraph three - first generation antipsychotics (AO1)

Answer 8

• prescribed due to the link between AN and dopamine
• reducing excess = stress response decreases
• work by blocking the D2 receptors
• overproduction of dopamine leads to anxiety and the ability to go without food

Question 9

paragraph three - strength (FGA)

Answer 9

• supporting research - dolly and sargent
• chloropromazine has been used and led to weight gain
• supports efficacy of drug treatment

Question 10

paragraph three - weakness (FGA)

Answer 10

• Powers
• use of antipsychotics to treat AN patients were inconsistent
• 10 gained weight, 4 didnt complete study, 4 lost weight
• not most effective way of treating AN

Question 11

paragraph four - second generation antipsychotics (AO1)

Answer 11

• olanzapine = reduced depression, anxiety and core eating disorder symptoms which make patients more resistant
• target dopamine, serotonin and glutamate, blocking the receptors and allowing for dopamine activity to return to normal

Question 12

paragraph four - strength (SGA)

Answer 12

• silverstone
• those taking olanzapine not only gained weight but had less difficulty eating and lower levels of anxiety
• effectiveness especially for comorbid factors

Question 13

paragraph four - weakness (SGA)

Answer 13

• side effects such as agranulocytosis
• potentially life threatening blood disorder
• reduces the number of people wanting to take the drug

Question 14

alternative

Answer 14

• token economy programmes
• extremely individualised e.g. the rewards for positive behaviours
• more likely to work in comparison to drug treatments which say that everyone will act in the same way