What do treatments for schizophrenia aim to do?
reduce psychotic symptoms and improve overall mental functioning.
How does the biological treatment of antipsychotics work?
changing brain activity and communication between neurons and synapses
How do antipsychotics work (4 mark)?
- alter balance of neurochemicals, particularly dopamine, in the brain
- block dopamine d2 receptors on postsynaptic neuron, reduce dopamine transmission
- calms overall neural activity and leads to clearer thinking and fewer psychotic symptoms
- help restore communication between brain cells
Types of anti psychotics?
- conventional (typical)
- atypical (second-generation)
When were conventional antipsychotics introduced? Examples? How do they work?
- 1950s
- haloperidol
- chlorpromazine
- strongly block dopamine receptors to reduce positive symptoms
Side effects of conventional antipsychotics?
-tardive dyskinesia (involuntary facial or body movements)
-muscle stiffness and tremors
-sedation or tiredness
Whats a limitation of typical antipsychotics?
- can worsen negative symptoms (e.g. widthdrawl and apathy)
Why were atypical antipsychotics introduced? How do they work? Side effects? Examples? Benefits over typical drugs?
- 1990s
- colazpine, risperidone, olanazapine
- less strongly block dopamine receptors than conventional, but also act on serotonin receptors
- reduces both positive and negative symptoms + lower risk of movement related side effects due to brad action
- rapid weight gain/ metabolic problems
How do antipsychotics improve mental health?
- reduce dopamine transmission
- lessen hallucinations and delusins to help patients distinguish reality from psychosis
- allow clearer thinking + better concentration
- improve social functioning and ability to engage in daily life and therapy
What can lead to best long-term outcomes?
- combining medications with psychological treatments such as cbt
How do antidepressants work?
- Antidepressants work by increasing the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline neurotransmitters (chemical that would be imbalanced in depression) , which help regulate mood and restore normal brain function
What do SSRIs do? Examples?
- SSRIs are a common group of antidepressants, including Fluoxetine (Prozac) or Sertraline
- prevent serotonin from being reabsorbed into the pre-synaptic neuron, causing a build-up in the synaptic gap
- This allows serotonin to remain active for longer, improving communication between neurons
How do antidepressants improve mental health?
- improved neurotransmission helps stabilize mood and reduce depressive symptoms AND helps brain regain normal activity which allows people to think more clearly
- relive symptoms by restoring brains chemical balance
- make people more responsive to psychotherapy and helps them engage more effectively in the treatment
Side effects of anti-depressants?
-nausea,
-headaches
-weight changes
-reduced libido
What is psychotherapy?
- talking therapy
- developed by Freud
- helps people understand and mange thoughts, feelings, behaviours
- combines psychological techniques with behaviourist approached such as CBT
What is CBT? What does it involve? What does it focus on? How long does it last? How is it achieved/ accessed?
- based on the idea that negative/ irrational thoughts affect our feelings and behaviours.
- Over time, these thinking patterns can become automatic and harmful
- it combines identifying and challenging negative thoughts with changing unhelpful behaviours and building practical coping skills.
- focuses on current problems
- typically short term (5-20 sessions) delivered in one to one groups or online.
CBT is based on the ABC model. What are the additions that made in ABCDE?
D - Disputing (challenging irrational beliefs)
E - Effect (of adopting healthier beliefs)
CB is also based on becks cognitive theory. What does that focus on?
which focuses on challenging distorted thinking and rebuilding more balanced interpretations of situations
How does CBT therapy work? What is the aim?
- Clients work with the therapist to identify problematic thoughts and beliefs
- break these thoughts down into patterns and examine how they affect emotion and behaviour
- Clients often complete homework, such as thought diaries, behavioural experiments, or worksheets, to practise new skills between sessions
- The aim is for clients to learn long-term coping strategies and prevent relapse
What is CBT used alongside to help people manage symptoms? (Schizophrenia)
Alongside antipsychotics
Beck (1952) demonstrated that delusional beliefs can be treated using cognitive techniques. The therapist takes a non-judgemental and collaborative approach, helping clients. What does that include? Example in action? (Schizophrenia and CBT)
- explore their delusional beliefs safely
- question and test the evidence for their beliefs
-re-evaluate what their voices say (in the case of hallucinations)
-develop coping strategies for intrusive or distressing symptoms
-A person hearing threatening voices may work with the therapist to test the accuracy and meaning of what the voices say
ow does CBT improve schizophrenia?
-Reduces fear and distress linked to hallucinations or delusions
-Helps clients understand their symptoms instead of trying to suppress them
-Strengthens reality testing and insight into the condition
-Can improve motivation and daily functioning by challenging negative thought patterns and setting achievable goals
-Builds insight into the condition, helping individuals recognise when symptoms are worsening and apply coping techniques early
Effectiveness of CBT? Usefulness and why? (Schizophrenia)
- effective in reducing distress and improving functioning according to research especially when combined with antipsychotics and medications
- useful as it addresses current symptoms and provides practical strategies for positive and negative symptoms.
