Biomedical Therapies and Preventing Psychological Disorders

Module 56: Biomedical Therapies and Preventing Psychological Disorders

Introduction to Biomedical Therapies

  • Definition: Biomedical therapy refers to medications or procedures prescribed that directly impact a person's physiology.

  • Importance of Brain Functioning: Every thought and feeling is reliant on a functioning brain. Changing thoughts and behaviors equates to changing brain chemistry.

  • Methods of Change:

    • Use of drugs to alter brain chemistry.

    • Electrical stimulation or magnetic impulses affecting brain circuitry.

    • Psychosurgery as an option.

    • Lifestyle changes can also positively influence brain function.

Psychopharmacology

  • Definition: The study of drug effects on the mind and behavior.

  • Significance: It is instrumental in making drug therapy the most widely used form of biomedical therapy.

  • Impact on Populations: Drug therapies, alongside community mental health programs, have significantly reduced resident populations in mental health facilities.

    • Concerns: Some individuals unable to care for themselves post-release may face homelessness rather than liberation.

Effectiveness of Drug Therapies

  • Research Methodologies: The effectiveness of drug therapies has been scrutinized through the placebo effect and double-blind procedures.

  • Types of Drug Treatments:

    • Antipsychotic Drugs: Treats psychosis. Examples include chloropromazine (Thorazine).

    • Antianxiety Drugs: Treat anxiety disorders. Examples include uroxanics, clonopins, and Atavans.

    • Antidepressants: Treat depression and related disorders. Examples include SSRIs.

    • Psychedelic Drugs: Used in therapeutic contexts, e.g., ketamine, magic mushrooms.

    • Mood Stabilizers: Manage bipolar disorder, e.g., lithium.

Detailed Exploration of Drug Treatments

Antipsychotic Drugs

  • Mechanism: Mimic/stimulate neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, reducing overreaction to stimuli.

  • First Generation: E.g., chloropromazine effective for schizophrenia's positive symptoms.

  • Second Generation: Clozapine, quintapine, etc.

  • Side Effects: Sluggishness, muscular tremors, potential tardive dyskinesia.

Antianxiety Drugs

  • Function: Depress central nervous system activity.

  • Usage: Treat anxiety, PTSD, OCD.

  • Concerns: Addictiveness; requires medical supervision for safe use.

Antidepressant Drugs

  • Action: Influence neurotransmission quickly; full effects may take four weeks due to neurogenesis.

  • Concerns: Effectiveness questioned due to spontaneous recovery and placebo effects.

  • Cognitive Therapy: Used to enhance drug therapy outcomes and reduce relapses.

  • Aerobic Exercise: Shows antidepressant properties in combination with psychotherapy.

Psychedelic Drugs

  • Applications: Treat depressive and anxiety disorders when used under medical guidance.

  • Effects: Temporary alterations in perception; potential therapeutic effects in low doses (microdosing).

  • Examples: Ketamine, magic mushrooms (with reduced side effects compared to standard antidepressants).

Mood Stabilizing Medications

  • Examples: Lithium, dipycotate.

  • Usage History: Initially for epilepsy, now for bipolar disorder.

  • Outcomes: Helps prevent manic episodes and correlates with reduced suicide rates.

Other Biomedical Treatments

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

  • Procedure: Brief electrical current administered under anesthesia, results in a brain seizure.

  • Effects: Memory loss for surrounding hours; highly effective for treatment-resistant depression.

  • Concerns: Potential amnesia and limits on repeated treatments due to memory impact.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS)

  • Mechanism: Applies weak current to the scalp to treat depression and OCD.

  • Critiques: Questionable cognitive benefits due to weak current.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

  • Mechanism: Sends magnetic energy to the brain's surface with fewer side effects.

  • Effectiveness: Modestly effective; researchers exploring precise stimulation techniques.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

  • Method: Targeting specific neural hubs with stimulation (like a pacemaker for the brain).

  • Benefits: Significant reduction in depressive symptoms for some clients.

Psychosurgery

  • Definition: Surgical interventions aimed to alter behavior by removing/destroying brain tissue.

  • Lobotomy: Historical method to calm violent patients, but led to lethargy and decreased creativity.

  • Modern Techniques: Use MRI guidance; applied in severe mental disorders, but considered irreversible.

Prevention of Psychological Disorders

  • Philosophical Approach: Rather than merely treating individuals, address broader societal factors contributing to psychological disorders.

    • Potential Triggers: Poverty, discrimination, and unhealthy environments undermine mental health.

  • Preventative Mental Health Programs: Aim to build resilience through supporting environments conducive to mental health.

    • Strategies: Change oppressive environments to bolster self-esteem and sense of competence.

    • Community Psychology Role: Focus on social conditions that affect psychological health, promoting empowerment and coping strategies.

  • Resilience Building:

    • Definition: Personal strength aiding stress coping and recovery from trauma.

    • Relationship to Growth: Resilience is a key component of post-traumatic growth.