Extracts from this essay...

Introduction

* What are the advantages and disadvantages of using medication for the treatment of schizophrenia? According to the Medical Model of psychology one of the way genes may influence behavior is through biochemical agents in the brain. The view, that the brain produces its own hallucinogens is supported by some evidence, and more specifically by Smythies's findings of hallucinogen-like chemicals in the brain. Additionally, dopamine, a neurotransmitter, has received the majority of research attention. It is agreed that rather than the production of dopamine, the amount of it that is utilized plays role in schizophrenia. More dopamine is utilized either as a result of rather sensitive post-synaptic receptors for the neurotransmitter or because of an increased number of the receptor sites. This results in the fact that in people suffering from Schizophrenia the number of these receptor sites is higher and they are more densely packed.

Middle

Most neuroplectics block a particular type of dopamine receptor in the brain which has a result the inability of the dopamine to excite post-synaptic receptors. In addition, they inhibit the functioning of hypothalamus, which also contains neurons that secrete dopamine and play a role in arousal. The neuroplectics therefore prevent the arousal signals from reaching higher parts of the brain. Except from helping cure schizophrenia and lessening the need for physical restraint, neuroplectics are also known as major tranquilizers in the sense that they generally tranquillize without impairing consciousness. The effect of these drugs however isn't necessarily of such importance. They are effective in reducing positive symptoms4 of schizophrenia, but people who show negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as apathy or withdrawal, fail to respond to these drugs most of the times.

Conclusion

and tardive dyskinesia (irretrievable movement disorders that resemble Parkinson's disease) are also frequent side effects of the neuroplectics and are known as extrapyramidal symptoms. Of course, some of these side-effects can be controlled by the use of other drugs. However, those might have other side-effect, resulting in the patient having to use high numbers of different drugs, a fact that obviously harms the organism. The invention of the chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of Schizophrenia has certainly been a major contribution to Psychology and namely to the treatment of severe mental disorders like Schizophrenia, however they should be used within some limits and the frequency and amounts in which they are consumed should be controlled. This means that the therapist should be very accurate and precise in the kinds of drugs he prescribes to his patients. And his prescriptions dhould be based on thorough research he has made on the patient. ?? ?? ?? ?? PSYCHOLOGY HL 1