Drug treatments for SZ

Question 1

diff types of drug therapies to treat SZ

Answer 1

• typical
• atypical

Question 2

what are antipsychotics/ neuroleptics

Answer 2

• medications to control psychosis
  -delusions+ hallucinations
• pill form or injected

Question 3

what are typical antipsychotics 1st gen?

Answer 3

• drug therapy used since 1950
• less popular bc of severe side effects and only treating pos symptoms
• chlorpomazine
• works as dopamine antagonists
  -reduce dopamine activity, by blocking dopamine receptors in the synapse
• side effects: dry mouth, constipation, confusion

Question 4

what are atypical antipsychotics?

Answer 4

• drug therapy started in 1970’s
• clozapine
• block dopamine but act on other neurotransmitters e.g. acetlycholine
• also address neg symptoms
• side effects: weight gain, cardiovascular problems
• BUT less likely to cause involuntary movement side effects

Question 5

Evaluations: research support meta analysis of anti psychotic drugs Luetch et al. (2013)

Answer 5

• meta analysed 212 studies on drug treatments in normalising dopamine levels
• treatment of symptoms with drugs are much more effective than placebo
• treatment that targets dopamine are effective in reducing symptoms

Question 5

Evaluations: research support on different types of anti psychotics Bagnall (2013)

Answer 5

• used 232 studies to analyse effectiveness of typical and atypical antipsychotics
• found atypical were more effective than typical in treating overall symptoms
• clozapine most effective for neg symptoms and treating those who are resistant to other drugs
• antipsychotics are an effective treatment plan, - especially those that target neurotransmitters
• BUT this challenges the dopamine hypothesis

Question 6

Evaluations: Tarrier research that antipsychotics alone aren’t the most effective treatment

Answer 6

• placed patients into drug care or drug care and CBT
• those in combined treatment had significant improvement in the severity and number of pos symptoms, also spent fewer days in hospital getting care
• interactionist approach at treating SZ using CBT as well is more effective

Question 7

Evaluations: drugs on psychology and the economy

Answer 7

• drug therapies are cheaper to prescribe than hospital treatment, CBT or family therapies
• people can also be treated in the community

Question 8

Evaluations: Drug therapies just suppress symptoms

Answer 8

• drugs may only be suppressing symptoms rather than treating problem
• lack of evidence showing the long term benefits of meds

Question 9

Evaluations: drugs ended long term institutionalization

Answer 9

• end of long term institutionalization in mental health hospitals
• enhanced the quality of life for those living with their families
• give people independence

Question 10

Evaluations: drugs are often given by force (ethical issue)

Answer 10

• drugs are often forcibly given when condition is severe
• ethical issues with informed consent
• especially when potential severe side effects

Question 11

Evaluations: people quit bc of side effects

Answer 11

• bad side effects can be people who take both drugs
• 2/3 people stop taking them
• return of symptoms
• ‘revolving door’ of people returning to treatment