Drug therapy schizophrenia

Question 1

How do typical antipsychotics work to treat schizophrenia?

Answer 1

Typical antipsychotics (e.g. Chlorpromazine) block dopamine receptors to reduce dopamine activity, targeting positive symptoms like hallucinations. Side effects: tardive dyskinesia, lethargy, dry mouth. Used since the 1950s.

Question 2

What are atypical antipsychotics and how do they differ?

Answer 2

Atypical antipsychotics (e.g. Clozapine) act on dopamine and other neurotransmitters like serotonin. They treat both positive and negative symptoms (e.g. avolition) and have fewer movement-related side effects than typicals.

Question 3

What did Tarrier (1998) find about combining drug and psychological therapies?

Answer 3

Tarrier (1998) found that patients receiving both CBT and antipsychotics showed greater symptom reduction and spent fewer days in hospital than those on meds alone—supporting the effectiveness of combined treatments.