SZ bio and psych therapies

Typical antipsychotics

Primarily combat positive symptoms. Their basic mechanism is to reduce the amount of dopamine and so reduce the symptoms. They work by binding to the receptors (particularly D2) and thus blocking their action. More side effects such as tardive dyskinesia.

Atypical antipsychotics

Combat positive and negative symptoms - as well as blocking dopamine receptors they black serotonin too. They bind in the same way as typical, but temporarily, to then rapidly dissociate to allow normal dopamine transmission. This helps to reduce side effects.

Typical antipsychotics

Primarily combat positive symptoms. Their basic mechanism is to reduce the amount of dopamine and so reduce the symptoms. They work by binding to the receptors (particularly D2) and thus blocking their action. More side effects such as tardive dyskinesia.

Atypical antipsychotics

Combat positive and negative symptoms - as well as blocking dopamine receptors they black serotonin too. They bind in the same way as typical, but temporarily, to then rapidly dissociate to allow normal dopamine transmission. This helps to reduce side effects.

Crossley (2010)

Meta analysis of 15 studies of the efficacy side-effects of atypical and typical drugs. Although atypical had fewer side effects, they did not differ from typical antipsychotics in efficacy.

Phases in CBTp

1. Assessment

2. Engagement

3. ABC model - rationalising, disputing and changing beliefs

4. Normalisation

5. Critical collaborative analysis

6. Developing alternative explanations