SZ - Bio Treatments Flashcards
(10 cards)
What are antipsychotics and what are they used for?
Antipsychotics (also known as neuroleptics) are drug treatments taken in pill or injection form to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking.
What are typical antipsychotics and how do they work?
Typical (first-generation) antipsychotics like chlorpromazine have been used since the 1950s. They act as dopamine antagonists, blocking D2 receptors in the synapse. This reduces dopamine activity, which helps relieve positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
What side effects are linked to typical antipsychotics?
Side effects include dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, confusion, and tardive dyskinesia — involuntary facial and body movements caused by long-term dopamine suppression.
What are atypical antipsychotics and how are they different?
Atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics like clozapine and risperidone were introduced in the 1970s. They block dopamine receptors but also affect serotonin, glutamate, and acetylcholine systems. They treat both positive and negative symptoms (e.g. avolition).
What side effects do atypical antipsychotics have?
Although considered safer, atypicals still cause weight gain, cardiovascular problems, and in rare cases (for clozapine) agranulocytosis — a potentially fatal reduction in white blood cells, requiring regular blood monitoring.
What research supports the effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs?
Leucht et al. (2013) reviewed 212 studies comparing antipsychotics to placebos.
They found antipsychotics were significantly more effective than placebos in reducing symptoms.
Why are atypical antipsychotics considered an improvement?
Bagnall et al. (2003) reviewed 232 studies comparing atypical and typical drugs.
Atypical drugs were more effective, had fewer movement side effects, and reduced negative symptoms better.
Why might drug therapy not be the best stand-alone option?
Tarrier et al. (1998) compared drug-only treatment to combined treatment (CBT + medication).
Combined treatment reduced symptom severity and hospitalisation more effectively.
What ethical concerns are raised about drug treatments?
Drugs can be prescribed without full informed consent, especially during psychotic episodes.
This is problematic as drugs can cause severe side effects (e.g. tardive dyskinesia, agranulocytosis).
Why might drug therapy be considered reductionist or superficial?
Drug therapies only suppress symptoms by altering neurotransmitters — they don’t address the underlying cause.
No long-term benefit has been shown in most studies, and relapse is common if medication is stopped.
