biological treatment for depression

Question 1

what drug treatment is used for depression?

Answer 1

anti-depressants

Question 2

what are tricyclics?

Answer 2

prevent serotonin and noradrenaline being reabsorbed by receptors, increasing the amount at the synapses by stopping the absorption by enzymes. can have serious side effects - nauseousness, stomach ache.

Question 3

what is an example of a tricyclic?

Answer 3

chlomipramine

Question 4

what is SSRI?

Answer 4

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, blocks serotonin from being absorbed by receptors increasing the amount in the synapse. side effects include - suicidal thoughts, weight gain.

Question 5

what is an example of an SSRI?

Answer 5

fluoxetine

Question 6

what is SNRI?

Answer 6

serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors. side effects include; constapation and diziness.

Question 7

what is an example of SNRI’s

Answer 7

duloxetine

Question 8

MAOI’s?

Answer 8

monamine oxidase inhibitors, increases all monamines in the same ways as others but also prevent MAO enzymes from breaking down the monamines so that there are more monamines at the synapes. shoudn’t be taken with SSRI’s, side effects include - tremmours, sweating and dioreah.

Question 9

what is an example of MAOI’s?

Answer 9

tranylcypromine

Question 10

why are drug treatments such as anti-depressents used?

Answer 10

• ## based on the belief that depression could be caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain

Question 11

how do anti-depressants work?

Answer 11

they work by increasing levels of activity of monamine nt’s in the brain

• the are agonists and usually work by preventing or blocking reuptake of monamines
• or they prevent the enzyme from breaking down the chemical at the synapse.

Question 12

how are they taken and how are they prescribed?

Answer 12

they are usually in tablet form

• you start on the lowest dosage thought necessary to reduce symptoms
• they usually need to be taken for around 7 days without missing a dose before the benefit is felt
• how they are prescribed is based on trial and error to see which one is most effective.

Question 13

how long does a course of treatment ususally last?

Answer 13

• six months

- although a two year course may be reccomended for people with a serious history of depression

Question 14

what did Arroll find? (2005)

Answer 14

he found that when reviewing random control trials with placebo conditions to see the effectiveness of anti-depressants.
- 50-60% of people treated with the anti-depressants improved compared to 42-47% of people given a placebo.

Question 15

what is an issue with ethics?

Answer 15

• tricyclics and MAOIs can have serious side effect; for example drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation
• SSRIs have been found to encourage suicidal ideation in young people

Question 16

what is a strength with drug treatment in terms of practicality?

Answer 16

• drugs are cheaper and can be provided immediately.

- where as for a lot of therapies there is a waiting list.