Biological Treatment

Question 1

Drug Therapy

Answer 1

Typical Anti-Psychotics- Chlorpromazine
- reduces dopamine activity
- blocks dopamine receptors
- sedative effects- calming
- decrease positve symptoms

Atypical Anti-Psychotics- Clozapine and Risperidone (Fewer Side Effects)
- same as typical drug but acts on seratonin and glutamate receptors
- increase mood and decrease depression + anxiety
- prescibed when high risk of suicide thoughts

Question 2

A03- Biological Therapies
(Effectiveness)

Answer 2

Thornley et al (2003)
- meta-analysis of studies with chlorpromazine agaisnt a placebo group
- data from 13 trials with 1121 ppts- Chlorpromazine associated with better overall functioning and decreased severity of symptoms
- data from 3 trials witb 512 ppts- decreased relapse

Meltzer (2012)
-Clozapine= more effective than typical antipsycotics
- 30-50% of treatment resistant cases where typical antipsychotics failed

Question 3

A03- Biological Therapies
(Side Effects)

Answer 3

Typical Drugs- Dizziness, agitation, sleepiness, itchy skin
Long term use- Tardive Dyskinesia- involunatry facial movements and tics
Most serious side effects= Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome- caused by blockage of dopamine action in the hypothamulus

Paitents may be relucant to take them
Clozapine=reduced side effects but still exist
- need regular blood tests
- AGRANULOCYOTIS

Question 4

A03- Biological Therapies
(Dependance on Dopamine Hypothesis)

Answer 4

Dopamine Hypothesis- not complete explanation for SZ
- dopamine levels in areas other than the subcortex TOO LOW
- therefore, it’s not clear how antipsychotics, which are dopamine antagonists can help with SZ when they reduce dopamine activtity

-modern understanding of the relationship of dopamine and psychosis suggests antipsychotics SHOULD’NT work
- undermined people’s faith in antipsycotics
-