EVALUATING THE BIOLOGICAL TREAMENTS

Question 1

Name 2 strengths of biochemical treatments for MAD’s?

Answer 1

1. Fast-acting
2. Proven efficacy/research backed.

Question 2

Explain 1 strength of biochemical treaments/ drug therapy for depression?

Answer 2

• Drug therapies are fast-acting. They can show positive effects within 2-4 weeks.
• ===Thus useful for immidate symptom relief.
• Compared to talking or psychotherapy which can take weeks or months.

Question 3

Explain is another strength of biochemical treaments/ drug therapy for depression?

Answer 3

• The efficacy of anti-depressants are supported by research (paticularly SRRI’S + SNRI’s)
• Rucci et al (2011) found that SRRI’s may delay the onset of sucidal thoughts in major depression compared to psychotherapy (in a study of 291 outpatients)

Question 4

Name one weaknesses of biochemical treatments (drug therapy)?

Answer 4

• Anti-depressants only manage symptoms but don’t adress underlying causes (trauma, negative thought patterns, enviromental stressors)
• Once discontined relapse rates can be high.
• Research= (CBT + Antidepressants) is considered the most effective approach for severe cases (March et al., 2004).

Question 5

Name another weakness of biochemical treatments for MAD’s?

Answer 5

• Side effects= all anti-depressants come with side effects. These side effects may reduce treament adherence (for instance a patient has low self-esteem the symptom of weight gain may worsen symptons)