biological therapy

• chlorpromazine

  • typical (1st gen)
  • linked to original DA hypothesis
  • produced in 1950s
  • dosages of 400-800, maximum of 1000mg
  • tablet, syrup or injection
  • dopamine antagonist, reduced DA activity in synaptic receptors
  • used for sedation and to stop hallucinations
  • side effects:low mood an relaxation
• clozapine

  • more common than chlorpromazine
  • atypical
  • 1970s, as typical wasn't working for sz
  • dosages os 300-450mg daily
  • not taken as injection due to lethal blood condition caused
  • dopamine, glutamate and seratonin antagonist
  • side effects: improved mood, good for suicidal patients
  • not much as a sedative as chlorpromazine
• risperidone

  • atypical
  • 1990s, used to avoid Lethal blood condition caused by clozapine
  • dosages of 4-8mg daily
  • taken as Tabley, syrup and injection
  • dopamine and serotonin antagonist
  • lower dosage means less side effects
• supporting evidence

  • research support for effectiveness
  • Thornley supports effectiveness as in 13 trials taking typical had less severe side effects than the placebo group
  • Meltzer found atypical (clozapine) was effective in 30-50% of treatment resistant cases when typical antipsychotics didn't work
• limitation

  • serious side effects
  • typical are associated with urinary and sexual dysfunction
  • atypical are associated with weight gain and heart problems
  • suggest long term, antipsychotics may not be suitable as they can result in facial tics
  • fatal side effects of lethal blood condition which means people avoid taking treatments, making them ineffective
• real world application

  • strength
  • if someone is having a severe psychotic episode, injecting them with chlropromazine to sedate and relieve symptoms is highly effective
  • also, by using typical as a sedative, people become more calm are more likely to engage in their other treatments (therapy)
  • counterpoint - chemical cosh argument, antipsychotics can be human rights abuse (moncrieff 2013). to administer sedative drugs in different dosages is abuse of human rights