Drug Therapies

Drug TherapiesPsychopharmacology

(the study of drug effects on mind and behavior)

Factors to consider with drug therapy:Normal recovery rate of untreated patientsPlacebo effect

Double blind procedure (neither staff nor patient know who has the placebo)

Drug Therapy/Psychopharmacology

The first psychological drugs were administered in 1953 with the antipsychotic drugs.

In 1955, over ½ a million Americans were living in mental institutions, each staying an average of a few years. Then, with the introduction of tranquilizers, the number declined. By 1965, the number of patients was down to ¼ million, with most patients staying for only a few months.

Drug Therapies & Mental Hospitals

Drug Therapies

Drug Therapies

Drug Therapies & Mental Hospitals

Drug Therapies

Antipsychotic drugsTreat Psychoses

(disorders in which hallucinations or delusions indicate some loss of contact with reality)

Antipsychotics: How do they work?Block DopamineChlorpromazine (Brand name: Thorazine)

Diminishes responsiveness to irrelevant stimuliTreats positive Schizophrenia

Atypical antipsychotics (Clozaril)Positive and negative symptomsTarget Dopamine AND Serotonin

Antipsychotics: Side Effects?

Sluggishness, tremors, and twitches (Parkinson’s disease)

Too little dopamineTardive Dyskinesia

involuntary movements of the facial muscles (such as grimacing), tongue, and limbs.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0EbgpyztCA

Obesity, diabetes

Drug Therapies

Antianxiety drugsDepress central nervous system

Xanax, AtivanD-cycloserine

Used in conjunction with exposure therapyTherefore, treats PTSD and OCD

Are they a “cure”?

Drug Therapies

Antidepressant drugsUse with mood and anxiety disorders

Target norepinephrine or serotoninIncrease mood and arousal

Antidepressants

SSRI’s: Selective-Serotonin-Reuptake-Inhibitors

Fluoxetine (Prozac)Paxil, Zoloft

Antidepressant Drugs: ProzacHow does it work?

Antidepressant Drugs: ProzacHow does it work?

Antidepressant Drugs: ProzacHow does it work?

AntidepressantsSide effects: dry mouth, weight gain, hypertension, dizzy spells

Can be alleviated by wearing a patch instead of taking a pill (bypass intestines and liver)

Alternatives: Exercise and Cognitive therapy (positive thinking) often increase serotonin naturallyPlacebos account for 75% of drug effect

1 in 4 people on average need to try another antidepressant (is that the 25% that actually have a chemical imbalance?)

Drug Therapies

Mood-stabilizing medications often help calm Mania (bipolar)

LithiumDepakote

Truths About Drug Therapy…Cannot cure any mental illnessCan alter the brain to suppress some symptomsCan have negative long term effectsCan be habit formingOften over prescribed