Biomedical treatment By Mr Daniel Hansson

Biomedical treatment What is it? What is it? Supporting studies Supporting studies How can it be used to treat anorexia nervosa and major depression? How can it be used to treat anorexia nervosa and major depression? Evaluation Evaluation Conclusion Conclusion

What is it? Psychological disorders are assumed to involve changes in brain chemistry (neurotransmitters and hormones) Psychological disorders are assumed to involve changes in brain chemistry (neurotransmitters and hormones) The treatment focuses on normalizing the brain chemistry by the use of medicine, such as antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy or psychosurgery (removing the damaged area) The treatment focuses on normalizing the brain chemistry by the use of medicine, such as antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy or psychosurgery (removing the damaged area)

Types of biomedical treatments Drug therapy Drug therapy Electroconvulsive therapy (For severe cases of depression) Electroconvulsive therapy (For severe cases of depression) Psychosurgery (Rare, for severe cases, if all other treatments have failed) Psychosurgery (Rare, for severe cases, if all other treatments have failed) Exercise Exercise Acupuncture Acupuncture Herbal medicine Herbal medicine

Supporting studies Caspi (2003) Caspi (2003) Geddes et al. Geddes et al. Kirsch et al. Kirsch et al. Turner et al. Turner et al.

How can it be used to treat anorexia nervosa? Restore weight Restore weight Anti-depressants (SSRI:s) are effective if patient is in remission to reduce risk of relapse Anti-depressants (SSRI:s) are effective if patient is in remission to reduce risk of relapse Olanzapine (Zyprexa) may help some low weight anorexia patients in regards to anxiety and obsessional thinking Olanzapine (Zyprexa) may help some low weight anorexia patients in regards to anxiety and obsessional thinking Cyproheptadine (an anti histamine that may stimulate appetite) Cyproheptadine (an anti histamine that may stimulate appetite)

How can it be used to treat major depression? Use of SSRI:s (e.g. Prozac) Use of SSRI:s (e.g. Prozac) Tricyclic medicine Tricyclic medicine Electroconvulsive therapy (for severe cases) Electroconvulsive therapy (for severe cases)

Evaluation More effective for depression than anorexia nervosa More effective for depression than anorexia nervosa Some studies show that cognitive therapy is as effective Some studies show that cognitive therapy is as effective Possible side effects Possible side effects Drugs may be expensive Drugs may be expensive Only treats symptoms, not causes Only treats symptoms, not causes ECT may lead to memory loss, mode of action is unknown ECT may lead to memory loss, mode of action is unknown More effective for severe depression More effective for severe depression Many placebo studies show a significant positive effect of the treatment Many placebo studies show a significant positive effect of the treatment Some of the effect is due to placebo Some of the effect is due to placebo

Conclusion Should be used in conjunction with other treatments and mainly for more severe cases Should be used in conjunction with other treatments and mainly for more severe cases