Psychology - Paper 3 - Schizophrenia - Drug therapy

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When were typical antipsychotics introduced?
1952
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What's one example of a typical antipsychotic?
Phenothiazines (known as Chlorpromazine)
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What's another characteristic of typical AP?
They are dopamine antagonists (meaning they work against the action of dopamine).
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What do typical AP do to help SZ?
Block the action of D2 dopamine receptors on post synaptic neuron by binding to them but not stimulating them which reduces the action of dopamine in synapse. This reduced symptoms of SZ.
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How long does it take for symptoms to reduce?
Hallucinations reduce is a few days and delusions after a few weeks. Symptoms should be controlled by 6 weeks.
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What effect do typical AP have on the patient?
Calming and sedative effect.
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How can the medication be taken?
As tablets, syrup or injection. Doses start small and gradually increase.
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When were atypical AP introduced?
1970s
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What's an example of an atypical AP?
Clozapine or Sulpiride.
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What do atypical AP do to help reduce SZ?
Block dopamine receptors and act on other neurotransmitters e,g, serotonin. They bind only temporarily to the D2 dopamine receptors then rapidly dissociate allowing for normal dopamine transmission. Helps + and - symptoms.
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How appropriate are typical AP?
There are negative side effects e.g. constipation. 25% of sufferers will have side effects that involve disordered motor movements like tremors e.g. tardive Dyskinesia (often permanent). This means 50% of ppl stop taking drugs within 1st year.
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How appropriate are atypical AP?
One side effect is agranulocytosis. Autoimmune disorder that leads to extreme lowering of white blood cell count and high risk of serious infections. Patients need to have their blood monitored monthly which might mix with issues of paranoia.
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How appropriate are AP in general?
There are economic implications. Drugs are relatively cheap and means patients can live independently so have an enhanced quality of life. Therefore could be seen as an appropriate treatment for SZ.
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How effective are typcial AP?
Julien (2005) found they treat + symptoms for 70% of ppl with SZ and decrease length of time a person is hospitalised so they are effective. However, not effective for everyone, don't treat - symptoms and they're short term solutions.
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How effective are atypical AP?
Meltzer concluded that Clozapine is more effective at reducing both + and - symptoms than typical APs. Patients showed an improvement in their symptoms which shows they're more effective than typical.
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What are the relevant issues and debates of drug therapy?
Biological therapies are based on biological explanations which are reductionist.
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What are the other therapies other than drug therapy?
Family therapy and CBT.
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Does drug therapy impact the underlying cause of SZ?
Drug treatments are only effective at reducing symptoms and do not tackle the environmental factors that may cause SZ e.g. family dysfunction.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What's one example of a typical antipsychotic?

Back

Phenothiazines (known as Chlorpromazine)

Card 3

Front

What's another characteristic of typical AP?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What do typical AP do to help SZ?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

How long does it take for symptoms to reduce?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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