Outline and evaluate two or more therapies used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

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“Outline and evaluate two or more therapies used in the treatment of schizophrenia”

There are two methods in treating schizophrenia; biologically or psychologically. One way to treat schizophrenia biologically is by antipsychotic medication. This therapy involves the use of drugs; conventional and atypical drugs. Conventional drugs bind to dopamine receptors, blocking their action. Reducing stimulation of dopamine in the brain helps to remove signs of hallucinations and delusions. Conventional drugs are primarily used to combat the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms are thoughts, behaviours, or sensory perceptions present in a person with schizophrenia, but not present in people in the normal population. Atypical antipsychotic drugs also act on dopamine but also block serotonin in the brain. Atypical drugs are thought to have lower levels of side effects such as tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movement in body parts). Atypical drugs not only work on positive symptoms but also negative symptoms. Negative symptoms affect the behaviour, feelings or perception of the person with schizophrenia.

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Many studies have evaluated the effectiveness of both conventional and atypical drugs by comparing the relapse rates of those on medication and those on placebos. Placebos are fake medication.  Davis (1980) found a significant difference in terms of relapse rates between drug medication and use of placebos, therefore supporting the use of drugs and their effectiveness. Another important factor that may affect the relapse rates between medication and placebo group is living conditions. Davis found that there was a bigger difference between medication and placebo relapse rates in those who lived in more hostile and unfriendly conditions. There was however ...

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