Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics

Effectiveness - advantages

• Davis et al (2003) reviewed relationship between placebo groups & those who continued to take antipsychotics. 
• 29 studies showed 55% placebo relapsed, 19% meds relapsed, antipsychotics highly effective in reducing relapse
• Supports nature - considers bio processes, dopamine hypothesis = advantage
• Real life applications - refine & develop effective methods of modifying scz

Effectiveness - disadvantages

• Significant issue is patient adherence
• Valenstein (2004) analysed 63,000 patients prescribed antipsychotics e.g missing dosage intake
• 40% non-compliant to typical, more compliant to atypical as 4.6% non compliant 
• scz believe meds dangerous, lack awareness of mental illness, due to hallucinations = "revolving door psychiatry"
• Pressured

Ethical - advantages

• Support - Thornley et al (2003) strong link reducing severity symptoms & improved cognitive functioning
  
• Allows scz more control over symptoms & encourage look after mental health
• Live more independently, redcue chances going back psychiatric insitutions
• Kapur's findings explain why increasing…