The Biological Treatment for Unipolar Depression - Drug Therapy

Question 1

Why are antidepressants given to those with depression?

Answer 1

Because it is believed that depression is caused by an imbance of neurotransmitters in the brain so they work to increase these neurotransmitters

Question 2

How do antidepressants treat depression?

Answer 2

They are agonists and work by blocking the reuptake of the monoamines such as seretonin and noradrenaline or they prevent an enzyme fromm breaking them down

Question 3

What form are antidepressants taken in?

Answer 3

Tablet form

Question 4

What happens when an antidepressant is prescribed?

Answer 4

You start on the lowest possible dose thought necessary to improve your symptoms

Question 5

How long do they need to be taken for?

Answer 5

At least 7 days, usually 6 months

Question 6

What happens if you see no benefit when taking them?

Answer 6

After 4 weeks without benefit you may have your dose increased or be given an alternative

Question 7

What are SSRIs?

Answer 7

selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 8

What do SSRIs do?

Answer 8

They prevent the reuptake of seretonin and can be absorbed by vesicles in the synapse

Question 9

What side effects do SSRIs cause?

Answer 9

insomnia, weight gain, fatigue, nausea, suicidal ideation

Question 10

What is an example of an SSRI?

Answer 10

Fluoxetine

Question 11

What is an SNRI?

Answer 11

seretonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor

Question 12

What do SNRIs do?

Answer 12

paritally blocks the reuptake of seretonin and noradrenaline, more effective than SSRIs

Question 13

What is an example of an SNRI?

Answer 13

Duloxotine

Question 14

What do tricyclics do?

Answer 14

Prevent the reuptake of seretonin and noradrenaline but are more dangerous

Question 15

What is an MAOI?

Answer 15

monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Question 16

What does an MAOI do?

Answer 16

It prevents the mao enzyme from breaking down monoamines so they are still active at they synapse

Question 17

What is the issue with MAOIs?

Answer 17

They can’t be combined with SSRIs and have serious side effects like suicidal ideation

Question 18

What is an example of a tricylic?

Answer 18

Anafranil

Question 19

Why does Pinquart et al (2006) suggest that they aren’t effective?

Answer 19

He reviewed psychological therapies like CBT and drug therapies and concluded that psychological therapies are more effective

Question 20

What did a government study in 2006 find about the effectiveness of drug treatment?

Answer 20

That 50% of those with depression who take antidepressants become symptom free, many relapse after medication

Question 21

Why are the old fashioned drugs like MAOIs and Tricylics impractical?

Answer 21

They produce serious side effects like constipation

Question 22

Why could antidepressants be said to be practical?

Answer 22

Because they can boost the mood of depressed patients so that other therapies like CBT can be used as otherwise patients may be too depressed to go to CBT

Question 23

Why can antidepressants be better than CBT?

Answer 23

They are cheaper and can be prescribed immediately rather than putting clients on a waiting list like CBT

Question 24

Why could CBT be better than antidepressants?

Answer 24

It doesn’t leave side effects and helps the client cope with it rather than temporarily altering a chemical imbalance

Question 25

Why might antidepressants be unethical?

Answer 25

It gives GPs the power over a patient’s life, they may prescribe ADs because its cheap when CBT may be more effective

Question 26

What did the world health organisation find in 2005?

Answer 26

That 1/3 will not respond to any treatment suggesting that medication cannot be fully effective