biological treatments for sz

• what is drug therapy?

  • biological treatment for sz
  • most common treatment for sz
  • drugs known as antipsychotics
  • work by reducing symptoms
  • NOT A CURE FOR SZ!!!
• 2 types of antipsychotics?

  1. typical
  2. atypical
• typical antipsychotics?

  • traditional medication introduced in 1950s
  • dopamine antagonist - chemicals which reduce amount of nt
  • reduce dopamine activity by blocking dopamine receptors at synapse
  • reduces positive symptoms - hallucinations
  • calming/sedative effect
• atypical antipsychotics?

  • newer medication introduced in 1990s
  • acts on dopamine & serotonin
  • reduce dopamine activity by blocking dopamine receptors at synapse
  • increases serotonin
  • reduces positive symptoms - hallucinations
  • reduces negative symptoms - avolition
  • calming/sedative effect
• 2 * for drug therapy?

  1. evidence to support effectiveness from davis
  2. cheap & easy to administer
• 3 X for drug therapy?

  1. high relapse rates
  2. cannot give informed consent
  3. side effects
• * evidence to support from davis?

  • davis 1989 conducted meta analysis of over 100 studies that compared effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs with placebos
  • over 70% patients treated with drug improved after 6 weeks
  • only 25% improved with placebo
  • effective
  • altering levels of dopamine through use of antipsychotic drugs causes clear reduction of symptoms for majority of patients compared to placebo effect short term
  • means treatment works & biological approach to treating sz is accurate
• X not 100% for davis?

  • research highlights that not everyone benefits from antipsychotics
  • effective for 70% showing that 30% people do not show improvements from taking drugs
  • ? effective
  • does not improve everyones symptoms so may be better treatments that are more effective for wider sz population
• X high relapse rates?

  • research has shown that 40% likelihood that sz patient will relapse within first year of taking antipsychotics & 15% relapse rates in later years
  • ? effective
  • shows it isnt effective in helping patients with sz in long term
  • may be better therapy to give lasting effects
• * cheap & easy to administer?

  • taking drug is quick & simple as it only involves swallowing tablet
  • also cheap to obtain & can be readily available for nhs
  • suitable for wider range of individuals compared to psychological therapies such as cbt & family therapy which may be cognitively demanding
  • appropriate
  • due to low cost implications & being easy to do more people can successfully access it increasing likelihood of being a chosen treatment for patients
• X cannot give informed consent?

  • people with sz often suffer from hallucinations & delusions - delusions of persecution
  • fear someone will hurt them so may not be in right frame of mind to give informed consent as they may think treatment is made to harm them
  • ? appropriate
  • patients with sz cant always give fully informed consent for accepting treatment & unethical to administer/difficult to ensure patients want to get on board with it
  • another treatment may be more appropriate
• X side effects?

  • mild to serious
  • typical - produce movement side effects resembles parkinsons disease - tardive dyskinesia
  • 15% long term users will develop this serious side effect
  • tardile - delayed - sudden movements of face & body thats not controlled
  • potentially permenant
  • lack of control of face - issues w communication increasing severity of neg symptoms - speech poverty
  • atypical - weight gain/cardiovascular problems
  • causes side effects that make patient worse than before
  • comorbidly suffering from additional disorder & lead to severe side effects for people who take them for severe sz