schizophrenia - modifying: antipsychotic: effectiveness

Question 1

supporting evidence

Answer 1

P: A strength of antipsychotic drugs is their proven effectiveness in reducing schizophrenia symptoms, as demonstrated by research.
E: Cole et al. (1964) conducted a study comparing two groups of schizophrenics. Group 1 received conventional antipsychotics, while Group 2 received a placebo. The results showed that 75% of patients in Group 1 were much improved, compared to only 25% in the placebo group.
T: This highlights the effectiveness of antipsychotics in managing symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, which can significantly improve patients’ quality of life and functionality.
COUNTER: Critics might argue that such studies may not account for long-term effectiveness or the impact of side effects, which could reduce the treatment’s overall benefit.

Question 2

treating symptom not cause

Answer 2

P: Another limitation is that antipsychotic drugs primarily address the symptoms of schizophrenia without treating its underlying causes.
E: While antipsychotics are effective in reducing positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, they have limited impact on negative symptoms such as apathy and social withdrawal, which often persist and severely affect quality of life (Kirkpatrick et al., 2006). Moreover, the etiology of schizophrenia involves complex factors like genetics and environmental triggers, which medication alone cannot resolve.
T: This suggests that while antipsychotics can provide symptom relief, they do not promote long-term recovery or address the root causes of the disorder, necessitating complementary treatments like therapy or psychosocial interventions.
COUNTER: Supporters might contend that symptom relief is a critical first step in enabling patients to engage in other therapeutic activities that can address the disorder more holistically.

Question 3

reducing side effects

Answer 3

P: significant strength of antipsychotic medications is the continuous advancement in drug development, leading to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
E: Recent advancements have led to the development of atypical antipsychotics, which are less likely to cause the severe side effects associated with conventional antipsychotics, such as tardive dyskinesia and Parkinsonism. Drugs like aripiprazole and lurasidone are now available, offering better tolerability and a more favorable side effect profile, which has improved patient adherence to treatment (Muench & Hamer, 2010).
T: This represents a strength because these advancements provide patients with better treatment options, improving their chances of managing their symptoms effectively with a reduced risk of long-term, debilitating side effects.
COUNTER: However, the high cost of newer atypical antipsychotics may limit their accessibility, especially in low-resource settings, making them less viable for some patients despite their advantages.