biological therapies

antipsychotics

- reduce intensity of sz symptoms, especially positive ones (e.g. hallucinations)

- this treatment is based on the dopamine hypothesis

- it’s thought that schizophrenics produce too many dopamine receptors

- antipsychotic drugs cans be taken in the form of tablets or syrup and can be taken long term or short term

- however, antipsychotics don’t cure the illness, they can only reduce the symptoms so that a degree of normal functioning can occur

typical antipsychotic drugs

- primarily used used to combat the positive symptoms of sz 

- dopamine antagonists: chlorpromazine blocks dopamine receptors, reducing neurotransmitter activity and symptoms 

- sedative effect: also acts as a sedative, calming effect (reduces anxiety) 

atypical antipsychotics

- Clozapine: binds to dopamine receptors but also works on serotonin and glutamate. may improve mood and cognitive functioning (but potentially fatal agranulocytosis). 

- Risperidone: most recent, binds to dopamine receptors more strongly than clozapine does, so similar dose and fewer side effects.

benefits of drug therapy

- the effects aren’t necessarily permanent (unlike a lobotomy)

- there’s no surgery – less danger of surgery going wrong

- more ethical and less dehumanising

- drugs are easier to take, more practical

- the patient has more motivation to take drugs than having invasive surgery/dehumanising treatments