3.3.4 Biological Therapies for Schizophrenia

• Antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia; can be long term or short term
• Types of Antipsychotics

  1. Typical (Traditional)
  2. Atypical (Second-generation)
• Typical (Chlorpromazine)

  • Antagonistic
  • Blocks dopamine recptors
  • Reduces hallucinations
  • Has a sedative effect by effecting histamine receptors
• Side effects of typical antipsychotics include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, blurred vision, and increased risk of diabetes.
• Atypical (Clozapine)

  • Antagonist
  • Blocks serotonin, dopamine, glutamate receptors
  • Reduces anxiety, avolition, depression; improves mood
  • Can be prescribed to suicidal patients
• Atypical (Risperidone)

  • Antagonistic
  • Blocks serotonin and dopamine receptors
  • Less side effects and more effective than clozapine
• Typical Antipsychotics

  • Severe side effects
  • Only treats positive symptoms
• Evaluation: Economic Implications

  • Drug therapies are often cheaper to prescribe than providing psychological therapies like CBT or family therapy
• Evaluation: Function of Drugs

  • May be surpressing symptoms not treating underling problem
  • Lack of evidence on long term benefits
• Evaluation: Side Effects

  • 2/3 of people stop taking drugs due to severe side effects
  • Symptoms therefore return and "revolving door" of people returning to treatment
• Evaluation: Research Support

  • Leuch et al (2013)
  • 212 studies in meta-analysis on drugs that normalise dopamine levels
  • Treatment with drugs more effective than placebo at reducing symptoms