Schizophrenia - biological therapy

Question 1

What is drug therapy

Answer 1

• use of typical and atypical antipsychotics to treat SZ

Question 2

What are typical antipsychotics

Answer 2

• first generation drugs
• chloropromazine

Question 3

How do typical antipsychotics works and what are the side effects

Answer 3

Dopamine Antagonists
- block dopamine receptors reducing domaine action
- normalises neurotransmission in key areas of the brain

Sedation effect
- used to calm individuals when patients are admitted to hospital

Question 4

What are atypical antipsychotic’s

Answer 4

• second generation drugs
• clozapine

Question 5

How does clozapine work

Answer 5

• binds to dopamine receptors
• acts of serotonin and glutamate receptors
• improves mood and reduces depression
• prescribed when a patient is at high risk of suicide

Question 6

what are the strengths of biological therapy

Answer 6

Ben thornley (2003)
- reviewed studies comparing chlorpromazine to a control group
- chlorapromazine associated with better overall functioning

Meltzer (2012)
- clozapine is more effective than typical antipsychotics
- effective in 30-50% of cases where typicals failed

Question 7

what are the limitations of biological therapy

Answer 7

Serious side effects
- typical can have long term effects known as tardive dyskinesia
- involuntary face movements

• antipsychotics are used in hospital situations to benefit the staff