Medical model application: Biological treatments Flashcards
(8 cards)
Drug treatments: Anti-anxiety drugs
Anti-anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines slow activity of central nervous system, reducing serotonin activity, thus anxiety, increasing relaxation.
Beta blockers act on autonomic nervous system e.g heart rate, blood pressure- reduce activity in autonomic nervous system associated with anxiety, drugs reduce heart rate, blood pressure & levels of cortisol.
Drug treatments: Anti-psychotic drugs
Can be used to reduce mental confusion & delusions.
Drug treatments: Anti-depressant drugs
e.g Prozac- can be used to elevate mood. These treatments assume an imbalance in biochemistry (neurotransmitters) is cause of abnormality.
2 types of anti-depressant drugs: Tricyclic drugs & SSRI’s (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) e.g Prozac
Tricyclic drugs block mechanism that reabsorbs neurotransmitters serotonin & norepinephrine leaving more of these neurotransmitter substances in synapse.
SSRI’s work similarly but block reuptake (reabsorption of a neurotransmitter) of serotonin.
Biological treatments for depression
Antidepressants vary in their action, but all act upon neurological system of body, varying amount of neurotransmitters such as serotonin (lack of serotonin and norepinephrine associated with depression).
Individual patients vary lots in response to each anti-depressant drug, in both effects on symptoms and side effects. Some side effects of SSRI’s are digestive issues, headaches, insomnia, even suicidal thoughts & aggression.
World Health Organisation concluded SSRI’s are effective for severe depression and have fewer unwanted side effects than tricyclic drugs.
Diff types of anti-depressants are prescribed under diff circumstances, gender also important as women suffer more side effects than men from tricyclic anti-depressants (tricyclic more appropriate for men).
ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy) for schizophrenia
Began in 1930’s- cows executed by electric shocks appeared to convulse like epileptic shock- idea applied to humans as treatment for schizophrenia on theoretical basis that no one can have schizophrenia and epilepsy at same time, if epilepsy induced by electric shock, schizophrenic symptoms forced into submission.
ECT was used historically but largely abandoned as treatment for schizophrenia after discovering anti-psychotic drugs in 1950s, recently been re-introduced in USA.
In UK use of ECT not recommended unless catatonic schizophrenia.
ECT sometimes last resort for treating severe depression.
How does ECT work?
Can either be unilateral (electrode on one temple) or bilateral (electrodes on both temples).
In most cases shock is bilateral- considered more effective although more likely to lead to side effects.
Early use caused broken bones from fits and occasionally burns to brain.
Modern procedure for administering ECT
Patient receives short acting anaesthetic & muscle relaxant before shock administered to prevent broken bones. Oxygen also given.
Small current about 0.6 amps passed through brain lasting between half a second- 4 seconds inducing seizure (similar to experienced with epilepsy) which lasts about a minute.
ECT usually given 3 times a week for up to 2-3 weeks.
ECT should only be used when all else fails- sufficient justification if prevents suicide.
ECT generally used in severely depressed patients whereby psychotherapy & medication proven ineffective.
Can also use ECT for schizophrenia & manic depression.
However research found high relapse rate- relief temporary, not a cure.
Critic of ECT
Extreme form of treatment; uncontrolled and unwarranted use in many large, under staffed mental institutions where may be used to make patients docile (obedient) and manageable or as punishment.
ECT side effects= impaired language, memory loss, loss of self esteem due to not being able to remember important personal facts or perform routine tasks.
