Drug Treatments for Schizophrenia

Question 1

Drug Treatments for Schizophrenia

Answer 1

FGAs

SGAs

Question 2

FGAs

Answer 2

Block postsynaptic dopamine receptors.
Most effective is those who block D2 Receptors
Can lead to uncontrollable muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)

Question 3

SGAs

Answer 3

Blocks dopamine, seratonin & glutamate receptors
Clozapine
Can lead to blood conditions

Question 4

Eval. of Drug/Biological Treatment for SZ

2 Strength, 2 Weaknesses

Answer 4

Strengths
- Zhao et al. (2016) Meta-analysis of over 10,000 people. 17/18 antipsychotics had lower relapse rates than the placebo

• Has allowed patients not to just live out their lives in institutions, which increases stigma attached to SZ through lack of contact with the outside world

Weaknesses
- Patel et al. Found that 20% show no improvement after FGAs, 45% show little improvement and side affects. Majority of those on drugs daily are unemployed, struggle to function

• Kapur (2000) found that we should be cautious generalising from animal studies. Symptoms are reduced but cannot show side effects that would affect everyday functioning in humans. Also extremely high doses given that would be harmful to humans