Biomedical Treatment Approaches AP Psychology

Neuroleptics (antipsychotics) Help reduce symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, paranoia Used in treatment of schizophrenia Moderately successful in reducing hallucinations and altered behavior Drug acts as a dopamine blocker It is thought that overactive dopamine system contributes to schizophrenia Common types: Thorazine and Haldol Help reduce symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, paranoia Used in treatment of schizophrenia Moderately successful in reducing hallucinations and altered behavior Drug acts as a dopamine blocker It is thought that overactive dopamine system contributes to schizophrenia Common types: Thorazine and Haldol

Antidepressants Increase the presence of seratonin and norepinephrine Usually takes several weeks before drugs have a positive affect Increase the presence of seratonin and norepinephrine Usually takes several weeks before drugs have a positive affect

Types of Antidepressants Monomine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are used infrequently because people have to adhere to a strict diet or the drug can cause a toxic reaction Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are more affective than MAOIs with fewer side effects but alcohol is not permitted when using Monomine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are used infrequently because people have to adhere to a strict diet or the drug can cause a toxic reaction Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are more affective than MAOIs with fewer side effects but alcohol is not permitted when using

Types of Antidepressants Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used Effective in treatment of depression without severe side effects Also used to treat panic/anxiety disorders Most common: Prozac (Zoloft and Paxil) 89% of people diagnosed with depression in 2001 received medication Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used Effective in treatment of depression without severe side effects Also used to treat panic/anxiety disorders Most common: Prozac (Zoloft and Paxil) 89% of people diagnosed with depression in 2001 received medication

Lithium Helps reduce the severity of the highs and lows that are associated with bi- polar disorder Does not act immediately on symptoms and must be carefully monitored Helps reduce the severity of the highs and lows that are associated with bi- polar disorder Does not act immediately on symptoms and must be carefully monitored

Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) Tranquizliers or anxiolytics are used to treat anxiety Common drugs today are Librium and Valium Drugs produce a calming effect for person experiencing anxiety Xanax has become popular Warning: patients can become dependent on these drugs Tranquizliers or anxiolytics are used to treat anxiety Common drugs today are Librium and Valium Drugs produce a calming effect for person experiencing anxiety Xanax has become popular Warning: patients can become dependent on these drugs

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Used as a last resort for patients who are severely depressed Side effect is temporary memory loss of the time period immediately procedding the treatment Electric current is passed through brain that causes convulsions; think that it may increase release of norepinephrine which elevates arousal and mood Used as a last resort for patients who are severely depressed Side effect is temporary memory loss of the time period immediately procedding the treatment Electric current is passed through brain that causes convulsions; think that it may increase release of norepinephrine which elevates arousal and mood