Side Effects of Drug Treatments for Schizophrenia - Essay Example

Q1. What are the side effects of traditional drug treatments for schizophrenia? Why do these side effects occur? How do newer drugs attempt to avoid these side effects? Ans: The traditional drug or the first-generation antipsychotics are medications like chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and haloperidol (Haldol) there were first used to treat schizophrenia. Although these drugs are mostly successful they have many side effects. Some of the common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, and weight gain.

Many patients who use these drugs also get what is known as ‘extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) which are involuntary movement abnormalities (muscle spasms, rigidity, shaking) that are quite like Parkinson’s disease. Some people who have used these drugs for a very long time may also develop ‘tardive dyskinesia’ which involves many unintentional movements of the lips and tongue and sometimes of the hands and neck. In rare cases, there is a toxic reaction to medication that is called ‘neuroleptic malignant syndrome’ which is characterized by high fever and extreme muscle rigidity and which, if untreated may be fatal.

The exact reasons why these side effects occur are not fully known. Yet, as it can be surmised the strength of the antipsychotics that are used to combat such a strong disease would not be suitable for the immunity of all the patients and therefore, these side effects occur as a reaction from the body. The Second-Generation antipsychotics which began appearing in the 1980s improved the qualities of the treatment as they produced fewer side effects. They include risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone and they cause far fewer extrapyramidal symptoms than the earlier antipsychotics.

They are also very effective in removing both the positive and the negative symptoms of schizophreniaQ2. List at least five personality disorders along with a brief description of each. Any additional ones listed (and described) will count towards extra credit for 1 point each.Ans:1. Paranoid Personality Disorder: People who suffer from paranoid personality disorder have pervasive suspiciousness and distrust of others, which leads to many problems. They see themselves as blameless and blame others instead for their own mistakes and failures.

They often look for signs to confirm their suspicion and they are always doubtful of everything.2. Schizoid Personality Disorder: Individuals suffering from this personality disorder are unable to form social relationships and lack interest in such things. They typically do not have friends with rare exceptions. They remain distant and unable to express their feelings and are seen by others as cold and unfriendly. They are often lonely and lack social skills with solitary interests and occupations.3. Schizotypal Personality Disorder: In this disorder, an individual is excessively introverted and has pervasive social and interpersonal deficits and also has additional cognitive and perceptual distortions and eccentricities in the way they behave and communicate.

They have highly personalized and superstitious thinking often believing that they have magical powers. 4. Histrionic Personality Disorder: The key characteristics are excessive attention-seeking behavior and emotionality. They feel bad if they are not the center of attention. They are lively, dramatic, and excessively extraverted to charm others. But because of the excess, others become tired of giving too much attention to his nature and thereby destroying relationships.5. Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Sufferers show an exaggerated sense of self-importance, often preoccupied with the need of being admired and lack empathy for others’ feelings.

Grandiosity is characterized by the tendency to overestimate their abilities and achievements and underestimate others. They constantly crave recognition. 6. Antisocial Personality Disorder: Individuals suffering from this disorder constantly show violation and disregard for the rights of others by deceiving, aggressing, and showing antisocial behavior without any regret or loyalty. They are generally impulsive, irritable, aggressive, and irresponsible.7. Borderline Personality Disorder: Individuals with this disorder show a pattern of impulsivity and instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and moods.

They commonly have a history of unfriendly relationships that ended in disappointments. These traits appear despite their efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.