Drug Therapy is a biological treatment based on the assumption that drugs can cure a neurochemical imbalance that psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia have a physiological cause.
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Aim of drug therapy?
Aim to alter neurochemical or hormonal functioning in order to alleviate symptoms of the illness
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Works by?
Works by either imitating the actions of neurotransmitters or blocking the flowof them
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Three types of psychoactive drugs
Antipsychotics, antidepressant, antianxiety
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Anti Psychotic
Used for psychotic mental disorders and can help to reduce and control psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations and incoherent speech
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How are psychotic symptoms caused?
Symptoms caused by brain producing too much dopamine (neurotransmitter) and reduces the flow of these messages by binding to the receptors so it doesn't overstimulate
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Two Generations of Anti Psychotics:
Conventional / Atypical
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Conventional Antipsychotics
- 'typical' / 'older' developed up the 1950s
- work by affecting neurotransmission, specifically blocking the action of dopamine.
-Used to primarily combat positive symptoms of schizophrenia e.g. delusions
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Atypical Antipsychotics
-'newer' / 'second generation, developed 1990s
- works by acting as a dopamine antagonist - temporarily occupies receptors and then rapidly dissociates, allowing normal dopamine transmission -> leads to lower side effects
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NHS Website Anti Psychotics
- Recommend them to be taken orally or given as an injection.
Several slow-release antipsychotics, where you only need an injection every 1 to 4 weeks
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Anti Depressant Drugs
Used to treat clinical depression, also used for a number of other conditions like OCD, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and sometimes people with long-term chronic pain
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What is depression due to?
Depression is due to insufficient amounts of neurotransmitters being produced in the synapse such as - Serotonin which is linked to mood and emotion
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How do anti-depressants work?
Work by boosting the activity of particular brain chemicals or making the activity last longer - includes non-adrenaline and serotonin
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's)
SSRI's are the most widely prescribed type of antidepressants, such as Prozac, which work by increasing levels in the brain
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Further explanation of how SSRI's work
Work by blocking reuptake which is serotonin being reabsorbed by the nerve cells after carrying a message, therefore more serotonin is available to pass further messages between nearby nerve cells
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NHS Website - SSRI's
SSRI's usually taken in tablet form and the course of treatment usually lasts for at least 6 months
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Anti-anxiety drugs
The body's response to anxiety/stress is the arousal of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to bodily symptoms such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, shaking and sweaty palms
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How to deal with anxiety?
To remove anxiety and stress you have to deal with the body symptoms also
Two examples of drugs: Beta Blockers and Benzodiazepines
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Beta-Blockers
Antagonist action - reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, block receptor sites for the hormones adrenaline and non-adrenaline
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Benzodiazepines
Act as a sedative - slowing down bodily functions, countering adrenaline
Used for sleeping problems/ anxiety
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How do Benzodiazepines work?
Work by increasing the effect of the brain chemical GABA, reducing brain activity in the areas of the brain responsible for rational thought, memory, emotions, and essential functions such as breathing)
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What is GABA?
GABA is a natural acid/tranquilizer that relaxes the body
Benzodiazepines secretagogues the production of GABA
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Main effects of benzodiazepines
Main effects include sedation, reduced anxiety, and muscle relaxation
- cant use longer than 4 weeks
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NHS Website - Anti Anxiety Drugs
The amount you are given is dependent on the severity of your physical symptoms as well as your psychological -> usually only assigned for a short-term basis to avoid addiction
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Aim to alter neurochemical or hormonal functioning in order to alleviate symptoms of the illness
Back
Aim of drug therapy?
Card 3
Front
Works by either imitating the actions of neurotransmitters or blocking the flowof them
Back
Card 4
Front
Antipsychotics, antidepressant, antianxiety
Back
Card 5
Front
Used for psychotic mental disorders and can help to reduce and control psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations and incoherent speech
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