evaluation of drug therapy

Question 1

give one strength of drug therapy and its counterargument

Answer 1

A strength of drug therapy is that research shows it can be effective. For example, Soomro et al. (2008) found SSRIs helped reduce OCD symptoms more than placebos. Similarly, Kahn et al. (1986) showed Benzodiazepines were more effective than placebos in treating stress and anxiety. This evidence supports the effectiveness of drug therapy for mental illnesses.
counterargument-
However, one of the issues regarding the evaluation of treatment is that most studies are only three to four months duration, and therefore little longitudinal data exists – and so findings should be applied with caution.

Question 2

give another strength of drug therapy

Answer 2

A strength of drug therapy is that it is cheaper and more convenient than other treatments, like psychotherapy. In the UK, drugs are prescribed through the NHS, and doctors only need to meet with patients occasionally to check on progress. This makes drug therapy quicker and easier to manage than other types of therapy.

Question 3

give a weakness of drug therapy

Answer 3

A weakness of drug therapy is that it only treats the symptoms of a disorder, not the underlying causes. For example, antidepressants might help someone with depression, but if the depression is caused by past trauma, the drugs won’t solve the root problem. This can lead to the “revolving door” syndrome, where patients keep returning to the doctor because the issue isn’t truly fixed.

Question 4

give another weakness of drug therapy

Answer 4

A weakness of drug therapy is that it can cause serious side effects. For example, SSRIs can lead to nausea, headaches, and insomnia, as shown in research by Soomro et al. (2008). These unpleasant side effects may make patients not want to take their medication, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.

Question 5

give an ethical issue of drug therapy

Answer 5

A weakness of drug therapy is the ethical issues raised when using placebos in research. It’s wrong to give a patient a treatment known to be less effective, especially if a better treatment exists. Using a placebo instead of an effective drug in tests can expose patients to inferior treatment, which is an ethical concern.

Question 6

conclusion for drug therapy 10 marks or over only.

Answer 6

Drug therapy is effective, but mental illness can also be caused by things like childhood trauma or faulty thinking. This means drug therapy shouldn’t be used alone. It works best when combined with other treatments that address both physical symptoms and the root causes of the problem.