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Biological Drug Therapy (Antipsychotic drugs (Treats disorders such as…
Biological Drug Therapy
Antidepressant drugs
Depression due to insufficient amounts of seratonin in the synapse. In normal brains, neurotransmitters are terminated by being reabsorbed into the neurons and are broken down by an enzyme.
Antidepressants work by either reducing the rate of reabsorption, or by blocking the enzyme that breaks the neurotransmitters down.
Most common antidepressants are SSRIs, such as Prozac. These work by blocking the reabsoroption, meaning that more seratonin is left in the synapse, prolonging its activity .'. happiness.
Antipsychotic drugs
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Conventional antipsychotics combat the positive symptoms of Sz (hallucinations/delusions). An example is Chlorpromazine.
These dugs block the action of dopamine in the brain by binding to, but not stimulating, dopamine receptors.
Atypical antipsychotics work by only temporarily blocking receptors then rapidly dissociating to allow normal dopamine transmission. An example is Clozapine.
Antianxiety drugs
Most common anxiety/stress treatment is Benzodiazepines (BZs), these slow down the activity of the CNS, by enhancing activity of GABA - the body's natural form of anxiety relief.
Beta-Blockers are also used, and work by reducing the activity of the hormone: Adrenaline, a natural response to stress.
BBs bind to receptors on the cells of the heart and other parts of the body that are usually stimulated during sympathetic arousal. By blocking these receptors, the heart is slpwed down so vessels do not contract so easily, which can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
Effectiveness
Drugs versus placebo: Soomro et al reviewed 17 studies of the use of SSRIs with OCD patients and found them to be more effective than placebos in reducing symptoms of OCD up to three months after treatment (Short term).
However, an issue regarding these studies is that most studies are only of three to four months duration. (Kahn et al)
There are some serious side effects known in many drugs. Soomro found that nausea, headache, and insomnia are common side effectsof SSRIs. This can make people put off by the drug, even if the side effects aren't as serious as those of Tricyclic antidepressants.
Symptoms not cause: This type of therapy does not address the underlying cause. E.g. If a person is suffering depression because of serious childhood trauma, the antidepressants may provide effective short-term solution for the individual, but in the long term, the disorder in not treated .'. *Revolving door syndrome.
Ethical Issues
Use of placebos: Biological treatments raise important ethical issues. A fundamental research thic is that no patient should be given a treatment known to be inferior. In effectiveness studies, patients in the control group are deprived or substituted effective - necessary - treatment, which could potentially worsen health.
Valid consent: Many patients will find it difficult to remember all the facts relating to the potential side effects of the drug prescribed or they simply may not be in a frame of mind to digest this information.
Conclusion: While there is empirical evidence to suggest that drug therapy is effective in reducing symptoms of mental illnesses, such as OCD; there are definitely ethical issues to consider, such as valid consent, and a cost benefit analysis could perhaps be used to decide whether research will cause lasting damage.