Schizophrenia Treatments

Question 1

Chemotherapy

Answer 1

• Antipsychotics aim to change balance of neurochemicals
• Since ‘50s widespread use has allowed schiz to be treated in a more humane way
• If dopamine causes then drugs that target DA transmission should reduce symptoms
• Used to suppress hallucinations and delusions
• Phenothiazine’s (typical) such as chlorpromazine blocked DA receptors and lead to reduction of DA communication between synapse
• A-typical drugs like clozapine and risperadol block some DA receptors and create and a gateway for dopamine - reduces drug side effects
• Can be in liquid, tablet form or be injected and take about 2-6 weeks to work

Question 2

Chemo evaluation

Answer 2

A - appropriate for neurochamical basis - chemical straightjacket as can’t not take drug and can’t get better
- Not appropriate for those with breaks in reality - revolving doors
- Davidson and Neale - 50% stop taking after 1 year after initial treatment and 75% after 2 years
P - administrated outside of an institution and go back to every day life
- Not addressing root cause - economic problem as people on drug for a lifetime
E - work on both positive and negative symptoms - effective for many sufferers
- Meltzer - 48 patients split into groups of the 4 new drugs and 1 well known old drug
Haloperidol showed significant improvement w/ 2 drugs showing improvement for both symptoms types - development of chemotherapy
- Positive findings of those who continued to take the drug
E - side effects of older antipsychotics like Tardive Dykinsea (involuntary movements of face and limbs)
- Benefits out weigh costs

Question 3

Care in the community

Answer 3

• ‘50s and ‘60s traditional care was institution
• ‘70s and ‘80s move towards individuals to be cared for in the community
• Spectrum of care (NHS 1997)
• 1. Sheltered accommodation w/ 24hr care who can’t be cared for by relatives etc
• Half way house with up to 20 people with staff on hand for emotional and day to day living
• 2. Employment opportunities in sheltered firms
• 3. Specialist outreach teams for long term supportive care
• 4. In patient care when required
• Revolving door policy who require hospitalisation are admitted on a short term basis

Question 4

Care in the community evaluation

Answer 4

A - allowed to live within communities rather than being isolated in institutions
- Only appropriate for those who have consistent care
P - economic issue as dependent on funding
- If a community doesn’t have enough funding then sufferers are dumped in the community instead
- With correct funding it can be a powerful method
E - Leff found that patients that were cared for in the community, housed in long term shelter showed lowered symptom severity
- Only dealing with the illness then getting to the root cause of the problem
E - considered empowering then chemotherapy
- Living in half way house creates issues in terms labelling