Biological Treatments

Question 1

what are the 2 different treatments

Answer 1

• typical antipsychotics
• atypical antipshycotics

Question 2

what are the 3 different antipsycotics

Answer 2

• chlorpromazine (typical)
• clozapine
• risperidone

Question 3

how does chlorpromazine work

typical

Answer 3

• blocks dopamine D2 receptors which reduces dopamine activity
• reduces positive symptoms
• worsens negative symptoms

Question 4

how does clozapine work

Answer 4

• weakly blocks dopamine receptors which reduces dopamine activity
• strongly blocks serotonin receptors which helps balance DA
• some patients died of blood clotting

Question 5

how does risperidone work

Answer 5

• blocks dopamine receptors but more selective resulting in fewer movement side effects

Question 6

give two positives on the use of antipsychotics

Answer 6

• cost effective
• positive impact on economy
• ethical - ppl live independantly

Question 7

give two negatives on the use of antipsychotics

Answer 7

• ethics - some treatments do more harm than good
• outdated - rely on outdated version of dopamine hypothesis
• side effects

Question 8

give a study involving the effectiveness of antipsychotics

postitive

Answer 8

• thornly et al - chlorpromazine reduced symptom severity compared to placebo

Question 9

give a study involving the effectiveness of antipsychotics

negative

Answer 9

• healy - most studies focus on the short term effects which may be due to the calming effects of the drug

Question 10

what is a major side effect of chlorpromazine

Answer 10

tardive dyskenisia - face spasms

Question 11

evaluate the use of antipsychotics

weakness

Answer 11

• P - serious side effects
• Eg - chlorpromazione, tardive dyskenisia whihc causes persistent facial spasms
• Ex - these motor problems create new health issues and often make patients stop taking the drug
• L - goes against protection from harm
• H - some more side effects than others, choice makes a difference

Question 12

evaluate the use of antipsychotics

strength

Answer 12

• P - effective
• Eg - thornly et al, chlorpromazine reduced symptopms severity compared to placebo
• Ex - because it is a typical antipsychotic that blocks dopamine receptors, it quikcly lowers positive symptoms
• L - improve quality of life allowing them to return to work or education and economic burden lowers
• H - must be taken everyday, can be a hinderence whihc lowers its long term effectiveness

Question 13

How do atypical antipsychotics differ from typical ones in action and symptom coverage?

Answer 13

They block dopamine and serotonin receptors, so they treat both positive and negative symptoms and cause fewer movement side-effects.