Applications

• Outline 1 biological treatment of schizophrenia (5)

  • One treatment is drug therapy
  • Where an atypical antipsychotic is taken in tablet form once a day
  • This works by blocking some of the D2 receptors at the post-synoptic neuron so less dopamine binds to the D2 receptors
  • This reduces positive symptoms such as delusions and negative symptoms such as alogia
• Outline 1 biological treatment of depression (5)

  • One treatment is drug therapy
  • Where an antidepressant such as an SSRI that is a tablet taken once a day
  • The SSRI prevents serotonin reuptaking to the pre-synaptic neuron and forces it to bind to the post-synoptic neuron
  • This increases serotonin in the synoptic gap which increases people's mood
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of drug therapy?

  Strengths:

  • Supports psychology as a science
  • Quick and efficient
  • Right to withdraw (don't take it)
  • Freewill
  • Repeat prescription

  Weaknesses:

  • Doesn't cure disorder
  • Reductionist
  • Side effects
  • Not all anti-depressants work for everyone
• Outline 1 biological treatment of one specific disorder (5) - ECT

  • One treatment is bilateral ECT which is used to treat depression where medication has been unsuccessful
  • Electrical current is passed through both sides of the brain, which changes the activity of serotonin and increases it as well as stimulating the limbic system and could stimulate the growth of new cells and pathways in the brain
  • The increase in activity of serotonin reduces depression symptoms
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of ECT?

  Strengths:

  • Informed consent
  • Right to withdraw
  • Standardised procedure
  • Quick and effective
  • Most of world is western so could be accessible

  Weaknesses:

  • Ethnocentrism - not accessible to all cultures
  • Distress
  • Might not consent if aware of risks
  • Have to go to the hospital - may have withdrawn from society
  • Side effects - headache, dizzy, temporary memory loss