S - Drug Therapy

Question 1

Antipsychotics

Answer 1

Medications used to control symptoms of psychosis

Question 2

Typical antipsychotics

Answer 2

• First-generation drug therapy e.g. chlorpromazine
• They work by blocking dopamine receptors at the synapse reducing positive symptoms of schizophrenia
• This works for people with schizophrenia with high levels of dopamine
• Less popular because they have severe side effects and only treat positive symptoms

Question 3

Atypical antipsychotics

Answer 3

• Second generation drug therapy e.g. clozapine
• Block dopamine receptors but also act on other neurotransmitters e.g. increase serotonin
• Better than typical antipsychotics because they have fewer side effects but do not work for everyone
• They reduce both positive and negative symptoms

Question 4

Positive evaluation of drug treatment

Answer 4

• In a meta-analysis, Leucht found that drug treatments that work via normalising dopamine levels were more effective than a placebo, suggesting that drug treatments are effective
• Drug treatment is also cheaper than alternatives such as CBT

Question 5

How does the dosage go in the drug treatment of schizophrenia?

Answer 5

Typical antipsychotics use a larger dosage than atypical antipsychotics

Question 6

Typical side effects of typical antipsychotics

Answer 6

Dry mouth, constipation, confusion

Question 7

Typical side effect of atypical antipsychotics

Answer 7

Weight gain and cardiovascular problems