Biological Therapies For SZ

Question 1

Outline- typical antipsychotics

Answer 1

They work as dopamine antagonistics and they include chlorpromazine. (The dopamine hypothesis)
Used to reduce symptoms such as hallucinations.
They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the synapses.
It’s also helpful as a sedative.

Question 2

Outline- Atypical antipsychotics

Answer 2

They target neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin to reduce symptoms of SZ.
Clozapine- works by clinging to dopamine, serotonin and glutamate receptors to improve the patients mood and reduce anxiety. But it killed people so in the 60s so people get regular blood tests when on it.
Risperidone- a more recently developed atypical antipsychotic, that binds to dopamine receptors more strongly than clozapine so it’s better In small doses.
Both drugs quantity is built up over time of taking it.

Question 3

Evaluation- evidence for effectiveness

Answer 3

Thornley et al
-meta analysis
- reviewed studies comparing effects of chlorpromazine to a palcebo.
- 13 trials / 1121 participants
Findings- better overall functioning with chlorpromazine than the placebo and also lower relapse rates.
- so we see that chlorpromazine is beneficial for patients of SZ.

Question 4

Evaluation- side effects

Answer 4

There are very serious side effects of antipsychotics such as dizziness, agitation, sleepiness, and life threatening conditions.

• people may not want to use it as it’s unethical
• may be better therefore to use psychological treatments such as CBT, family therapy etc.

Question 5

Evaluation- problems with evidence for effectiveness

Answer 5

Healy (2012)

• some successful data was published multiple times to exaggerate
• behaviour change in patients may just be the fact that it’s a sedative, rather than reducing the severity of psychosis.