Drug treatments of Schizophrenia

Question 1

What do drug treatments do? (general)

What is an example?

Answer 1

They are psychoactive drugs that change the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Antipsychotics reduce availability of dopamine as high levels of dopamine are linked to Sz.

Question 2

How are drugs tailored to each patient?

Answer 2

Doctor alters dosage so it is suitable for the needs of each patient.

Question 3

How do they work?

Answer 3

Block the dopamine receptor = reduces positive symptoms e.g. hallucinations

Question 4

What are the two types of drugs?

Answer 4

Atypical and typical.

Question 5

Which is more modern?

Answer 5

Typical.

Question 6

What does the patient have to do?

How long until the drugs have an effect?

Answer 6

Take them on a regular and constant basis in order to control the symptoms.
10 days.

Question 7

How are they available and how many?

Answer 7

Available on prescription and they are monitored to ensure they are being effective.
There are multiple types of drugs available to treat the same disorder so the patient will often try a few until they find one which is suitable and effective.

Question 8

Supporting evidence?

Answer 8

+ Kane (1992): effective in treating 80-85% of Schizophrenics.
+ Hogarty et al. (1972): relapse rates were reduced. 48% with drug treatment, 80% without drug treatments.

Question 9

Conflicting evidence?

Answer 9

• Leiberman (2005): patients often stop taking the drug due to severe side effects so this method is less effective.
• Leucht et al (1999): useful for positive symptoms but comparative effects for negative symptoms were marginal (less effective)

Question 10

Other treatments?

Answer 10

• CBT: changes their cognition and thought processes and makes patient involved.
  + could be used alongside CBT until the CBT has an effect/waiting list

Question 11

Usefulness?

Answer 11

+ only takes 10 days to have an effect = allows stabilisation of patients condition during acute phase
+ helps patient to return to normal function within society and have a better quality of life without requiring too much from them
- drugs have side effects, some of which are unpleasant e.g. tardive dyskinsea
- only effective for positive symptoms = does nothing for negative
- often referred to as a chemical straightjacket (social control)
- gives patient no control. They simply take a pill to get better leading to feelings of helplessness as it indicates they can’t recover on their own terms.