biological therapies

Question 1

antipsychotics

Answer 1

drugs used to rescue the intensity of symptoms, in particular the positive symptoms of psychotic conditions

Question 2

typical antipsychotics

Answer 2

• been around since the 1950s
• including chlorpromazine
• strong association between the use of typical antipsychotics like chlorpromazine and the dopamine hypothesis

Question 3

how does chlorpromazine work

Answer 3

acts as an antagonist in the dopamine system

• antagonists reduce the action of a neurotransmitter
• dopamine antagonists work by blocking dopamine receptors receptors in the synapses of the brain reducing the action of dopamine
• when you take chlorpromazine dopamine levels build up but then it’s production is reduced
• reduces symptoms like hallucinations

Question 4

atypical antipsychotics

Answer 4

used since 1970s

• aim was to maintain or improve the effectiveness of drugs in suppressing the symptoms and minimise the effects
• clozapine and risperidone

Question 5

clozapine

Answer 5

developed in 1960s and first trialled in 1970s, withdrawn for a while in 1970s after deaths of some patients but then brought back in 1980s as it was more effective but only used when other treatments failed

• can cause blood condition which dangerously lowers white blood cells which fight infection
• people that take it have regular blood tests
• binds to dopamine receptors but also acts on serotonin and glutamate which helps improve mood and reduce depression and anxiety

Question 6

risperidone

Answer 6

developed to be as effective as clozapine but without its serious side effects

• binds to dopamine and serotonin receptors
• stronger binds so is effective in smaller doses
• fewer side effects

Question 7

evaluation for effectiveness

Answer 7

• Thornley (2003)(typical)- effects of chlorpromazine, compared effects to control conditions where some patients had medication and others had placebo, data from 13 trials and 1121 participants- chlorpromazine had better overall functioning and reduced symptoms and relapse rate lower
• Meltzer (2012)(atypical)- concluded clozapine is more effective than typical, effective in 30-50% of treatment where typical antipsychotics have failed

Question 8

serious side effect

Answer 8

• likelihood of side effects
• typical- dizziness, agitation, weight gain, itchy skin, long term use can cause tardive dyskinesia (involuntary facial movements)
• most severe symptom of typical is NMS, blocks dopamine action, results in high temperature, coma and could be fatal
• atypical have fewer serious side effects, have regular blood tests

Question 9

chemical cosh argument

Answer 9

widely believed that antipsychotics have been used in hospital situations to calm patients down for the staffs benefit rather than the patients

Question 10

issues for patients in later life

Answer 10

argued that drug therapies for patients isn’t helpful as can lead to further issues for the patients such as becoming addicted or reliant on the drugs

-also argued that the drug may not actually help the condition but just hides its traits