schizophrenia - modifying: antipsychotic: overall Flashcards
(3 cards)
social
P: A key social strength of antipsychotic medication is that it has enabled individuals with schizophrenia to live outside mental asylums, which were often inhumane and isolating.
E: Prior to the widespread use of antipsychotic medication in the 1950s, people with schizophrenia were commonly institutionalized in overcrowded asylums where they faced deplorable conditions, including forced restraints and unethical treatments like electroconvulsive therapy without consent (Scull, 2015). With the advent of medication, many individuals now manage their symptoms effectively enough to reintegrate into society.
T: This is a significant social benefit as it restores dignity and autonomy to patients, allowing them to live relatively normal lives and contribute to society, including through employment, which also benefits the economy.
C: However, critics argue that community care systems are often underfunded, leaving some individuals without adequate support, which can lead to homelessness or re-hospitalization
ethical
P: A key ethical issue with antipsychotic drugs is the severe side effects associated with their use, such as tardive dyskinesia, Parkinsonism, and agranulocytosis.
E: Research by Kane et al. (1988) showed that up to 30% of patients using conventional antipsychotics develop tardive dyskinesia, a potentially irreversible condition characterized by involuntary movements. Additionally, clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, carries a 1-2% risk of agranulocytosis, a life-threatening drop in white blood cells.
T: This is a weakness because the severity and long-term nature of these side effects pose significant risks to patients’ quality of life and physical health, raising questions about whether the benefits of treatment outweigh these harms.
COUNTER: While side effects are significant, advancements in monitoring (e.g., regular blood tests for clozapine) and newer medications with fewer side effects have mitigated some of these risks, offering patients safer treatment options.
effectiveness
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.
