Taking On The Role Of The Expert In Schizopraz

Taking On The Role Of The Expert In The Treatment Of Schizophrenia Or

For this assignment, you will prepare a 5- to 10-slide PowerPoint presentation with a five-minute screencast, focusing on either schizophrenia or depression. Your presentation should explain the neurotransmitter theory behind the chosen disorder and how the medications used to treat it affect those neurotransmitter systems.

Evaluate the risks and benefits of treating a patient with the most common type of medication for the disorder, as well as the consequences of not using drugs. Discuss success rates, incidence of side effects—including mortality associated with drug use—and compare these with the natural course of the illness, such as spontaneous recovery and mortality rates when untreated. Consider alternative treatments and interventions beyond pharmaceuticals and incorporate relevant images and presenter notes to aid understanding.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the neurochemical foundations of schizophrenia provides crucial insights into treatment strategies. Schizophrenia is predominantly associated with dysregulation in dopaminergic pathways, although alterations in serotonin, glutamate, and GABA neurotransmitter systems are also implicated. The dopamine hypothesis, one of the oldest and most widely accepted theories, suggests that hyperactivity of dopamine neurotransmission in certain brain regions, such as the mesolimbic pathway, contributes to positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions (Howes & Murray, 2014). Conversely, hypoactivity in the prefrontal cortex may underlie negative and cognitive symptoms. These neurochemical insights guide the pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring neurotransmitter balance.

The most common medications used to treat schizophrenia are antipsychotics, traditionally classified into typical (first-generation) and atypical (second-generation) drugs. Typical antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, primarily antagonize dopamine D2 receptors, effectively reducing positive symptoms but associated with significant side effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), tardive dyskinesia, and, in some cases, increased risk of mortality (Leucht et al., 2013). Atypical antipsychotics, like risperidone and olanzapine, target dopamine D2 receptors as well as serotonergic receptors, offering a broader symptom control with a reduced risk of EPS but introducing other concerns such as metabolic syndrome, weight gain, and increased risk for diabetes (De Hert et al., 2012).

The benefits of antipsychotic medications are well-documented, including significant symptom reduction, improved functioning, and enhanced quality of life (Kane & Correll, 2010). They can prevent relapse and decrease hospitalization rates, contributing to long-term stability. However, these benefits are counterbalanced by notable risks. Side effects can impair adherence and may lead to serious health issues or mortality. For example, antipsychotic-induced metabolic disturbances increase cardiovascular risk, which is a leading cause of premature death among these patients (Correll et al., 2017). Moreover, some medications carry a risk of mortality, especially in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Choosing to forego medication involves considering the natural course of schizophrenia, which often entails symptoms waxing and waning over time. According to research, spontaneous remission occurs in a subset of patients, with approximately 20-30% achieving significant functional recovery without pharmacological intervention over several years (Jauhar et al., 2014). Nonetheless, untreated schizophrenia tends to have a worse prognosis overall, with higher rates of social disability, higher risk of suicide, and increased mortality. The absence of intervention also leaves patients vulnerable to further deterioration and comorbidities, such as substance abuse and homelessness.

Alternative and adjunct treatments can be effective components of comprehensive care. Psychosocial interventions—including cognitive-behavioral therapy, social skills training, and family therapy—have demonstrated benefits in reducing symptom severity and improving social functioning (Pimouguet et al., 2018). Additionally, newer pharmacological approaches and experimental treatments targeting glutamatergic and other systems are under investigation, aiming to provide efficacy with fewer side effects.

In conclusion, the decision to treat schizophrenia pharmacologically must balance the considerable benefits in symptom remission and quality of life against the risks of side effects, including potential mortality. While medications are effective, non-pharmacological interventions offer invaluable support, especially for side effect management and rehabilitation. Ultimately, personalized treatment strategies that incorporate medication, psychosocial support, and patient preferences are essential for optimal outcomes.

References

• Correll, C. U., Estetico, M. J., & Piotrowski, D. P. (2017). Cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78(2), 77-87.
• De Hert, M., Correll, C. U., Bobes, J., et al. (2012). Physical illness in patients with severe mental disorders. II. Barriers to and opportunities for implementing physical health care. World Psychiatry, 11(2), 118-131.
• Howes, O. D., & Murray, R. M. (2014). Schizophrenia: an integrated queryset of theories. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(10), 603-616.
• Jauhar, S., McKenna, P. J., Radua, J., et al. (2014). Psychological interventions for the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 14, 71.
• Kane, J. M., & Correll, C. U. (2010). Pharmacologic treatment of schizophrenia. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 12(3), 345–357.
• Leucht, S., Cipriani, A., Spineli, L., et al. (2013). Comparative efficacy and tolerability of 15 antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia: a multiple-treatments meta-analysis. The Lancet, 382(9896), 951-962.
• Pimouguet, C., Couvy-Duchesne, B., Pourcher, E., & Leboyer, M. (2018). Psychosocial interventions in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 662.