Sz bio treatment: drug therapy

Question 1

antipsychotics aim to change the balance of neuro chemicals to address the change in behaviour. if dopamine is linked, then drugs target dopamine transmission should reduce the symptoms.

Answer 1

anti psychotics are used to treat sz and suppress hallucinations etc.
they can be taken in syrup or tablet form.

Question 2

typical antipsychotics

Answer 2

• first generation antipsychotics
  examples= chlorozapine, haloperidol
  they arrest dopamine production by blocking the D2 receptors in synapses that absorb dopamine, in the mesolimbic pathway, reducing pos symptoms.
• they are effective in reducing positive symptoms for many but up to 40% gain no relief at all.
• they tend to block all types of dopamine activity, in other parts of the brain as well, and this causes side effects. examples= stiff or slow squirming movements of face and body you can’t control.

Question 3

atypical anti psychotics

Answer 3

• newer drugs developed in the 1960’s. examples= clozapine, olazapine
• these attempt to target dopamine activity in the limbic system but not D3 receptors in other parts of the brain. they block D2 receptors but only temporarily occupy them as they rapidly dissociate, allowing then for normal dopamine transmission.
  they also have some effect on glutamate and serotonin.
  -therefore have fewer side effects
• effective at treating pos and neg
• used for treatment resistant groups but not 100% effective
• side effects examples = fatal blood condition where body doesn’t produce enough white blood cells.

Question 4

appropriateness

Answer 4

• may well only be appropriate if there is a neurochemical basis for the illness, giving antipsychotics to individuals may well lessen the symptoms but may not target cause.
• this means the drug could well act as a chemical straight jacket which may not be appropriate as it does not allow people to get better.
• antipsychotics may also not be right because it may rely on people who have breaks in reality to take the drug. this could lead to a revolving door issue. eg 50% stop taking them one year after initial treatment.
  therefore, consideration must be given to the individuals symptoms before prescribing these drugs.

Question 5

practical

Answer 5

:) can be seen as practical as it can be administered outside of an institutional setting. this allows patients to get back into everyday life.
CA= tablets need to be taken everyday or symptoms will return. delusions may result in patients believing they don’t need medication.

Question 6

effective

Answer 6

• research has show that antipsychotics can work for both pos and neg symptoms and can therefore be considered effective for sufferers.

:) meltzer et al carried out studies to look at use of drug therapy on sz patients. 48 patients were put into groups based on different drugs. four new drugs were given compared to one well established drug called haloperidol. it showed significant improvement with two new drugs showing improvements for pos and neg.
this demonstrates the development of drug therapy through time.
CA= however, these positive findings may be a result of those who continued to take the treatment and not those who stopped the drug.

Question 7

ethics

Answer 7

there may be ethical implications with the treatment eg. side effects of older antipsychotics
- tardive dyskinesia could occur which leads to involuntary movements of the face and limbs.
ca= that said, the benefits to the patients may outweigh the costs eg. suffering symptoms.

• many critics have called antipsychotics chemical straight jackets. some feel that the drugs are used to keep patients quiet and easy to manage.
• this creates an ethical issue because while it may be beneficial to the institution and society, it may be less to do with the benefit of the patient.