Biological therapies for schizophrenia

• what is the biological therapy?

  drug therapies which involve antipsychotic medication to reduce symptoms. they help a person to function as well as possible. they work by reducing the action of dopamine in areas of the brain that are associated with sz.
• what are the 2 types of antipsychotic medication

  typical and atypical
• what are typical antipsychotics?

  they are primarily used to combat positive symptoms.
• what is an example of typical antipsychotics?

  Chlorpromazine are dopamine antagonists in that they bind but do not stimulate D2 receptors and so reduce symptoms. by reducing stimulation in the mesolimbic pathway, it eliminates the symptoms. by blocking the D2 receptors it reduces the dopamine activity which is thought to be overactive in sz. however this can cause side effects like tardive dyskinesia.
• what are atypical antipsychotics?

  they combat positive and negative symptoms
• what is an example of atypical antipsychotics?

  Clozapine and is known as the "second generation" as adds to the effectiveness and eliminates side effects. they also carry a lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects and so have beneficial effects on positive and negative symptoms, cognitive impairment and are suitable for treatment-resistant patients. they block D2 receptors temporarily then rapidly dissociate to allow normal dopamine transmission. its the rapid dissociation that is responsible for lower levels of extrapyramidal side effects found with these drugs.
• A03 issues and debates for drug therapies

  it is too biologically reductionists as solely focuses on the neurotransmitters imbalance and genetics. the diathesis stress model suggests genetic vulnerability and environmental stress influence. this means that drug treatments may not be sufficient enough on their own as do not address other factors. therefore, a holistic approach that combines both interventions such as CBT is more effective
• A03 supportive evidence for antipsychotic drugs

  Leucht et al metanalysis of 65 studies involving 6000 patients between 1959-2011. some had meds and some had been taken off them and given a placebo. within 12 months 64% of placebo relapsed compares to 27% on antipsychotic drugs
• A03 for biological therapies

  • motivational deficits- Ross and Read argued when people are prescribed meds it reinforces the view that something is wrong with them. prevents them thinking of possible stressors that may contribute so reduces motivation to look for possible solutions
  • side effects reduce compliance- typical causes extrapyramidal SE which effects movement like TD and Parkinson's which more than half taking TAP experience. AT cause metabolic issues so may discourage leading to worse symptoms.