1. The Biomedical Therapies Module 42

2. The Biomedical Therapies These include physical, medicinal, and other forms of biological therapies. 1.Drug Therapies 2.Brain Stimulation 3.Psychosurgery

3. Drug Therapies Psychopharmacology is the study of drug effects on mind and behavior.

4. Drug Therapies However, many patients are left homeless on the streets due to their ill-preparedness to cope independently outside in society. Les Snider/ The Image Works

5. Double-Blind Procedures To test the effectiveness of a drug, patients are tested with the drug and a placebo. Two groups of patients and medical health professionals are unaware of who is taking the drug and who is taking the placebo. The good news is that it double-blind studies, several types of drugs have proven useful in treating psychological disorders.

6. Antipsychotic Drugs-drugs that calm patients with psychoses. Classical antipsychotics [chlorpromazine (Thorazine)]: Remove a number of positive symptoms associated with schizophrenia such as agitation, delusions, and hallucinations. Side effects-sluggishness, tremors, twitches, tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements) Atypical antipsychotics [clozapine (Clozaril)]: Remove negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia such as apathy, jumbled thoughts, concentration difficulties, and difficulties in interacting with others.

7. Atypical Antipsychotic Clozapine (Clozaril) blocks receptors for dopamine and serotonin to remove the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

8. NEWER ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS Not really more effective in controlling the schizophrenia symptoms but Fewer conventional side effects. However, may increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Despite the drawbacks, these new drugs along with life-skills programs and family support have enabled hundreds of thousands of people with schizophrenia to return to work and near-normal lives.

9. Antianxiety Drugs Antianxiety drugs (Xanax and Ativan) depress the central nervous system and reduce anxiety and tension by elevating the levels of the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter. A new drug D-cycloserine acts upon a receptor that facilitates the extinction of learned fears-enhances benefits of exposure therapy.

10. Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressant drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) that improve the mood by elevating levels of serotonin by inhibiting reuptake.—being given now to anxiety patients as well.

11. Mood-Stabilizing Medications Lithium Carbonate, a common salt, has been used to stabilize manic episodes in bipolar disorders. It moderates the levels of norepinephrine and glutamate neurotransmitters. Depakote also seems to work (originally given to those with epilepsy)

12. Brain Stimulation Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) ECT is used for severely depressed patients who do not respond to drugs. The patient is anesthetized and given a muscle relaxant. Patients usually get a 100 volt shock that relieves them of depression.

13. HOW DOES ECT WORK? No one knows for sure. Possibly the shock- induced seizures calm neural centers where overactivity produces depression. It also appears to boost production of new brain cells Reduces suicidal thoughts.

14. Alternatives to ECT Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) In rTMS, a pulsating magnetic coil is placed over prefrontal regions of the brain to treat depression with minimal side effects.-wide awake during procedure. No seizures or memory loss

15. DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION Focusing on a cortex area that bridges the frontal lobes to the limbic system. Discovered this area that is overactive during depression becomes calm when given the drugs/ECT Implanted electrodes and a pacemaker stimulator-still debatable.

16. Psychosurgery-lobotomy Psychosurgery was popular even in Neolithic times. Although used sparingly today, about 200 such operations do take place in the US alone. Don’t do lobotomies anymore. http://www.epub.org.br

17. Psychosurgery Psychosurgery is used as a last resort in alleviating psychological disturbances. Psychosurgery is irreversible. Removal of brain tissue changes the mind.

18. Psychological Disorders are Biopsychosocial in Nature