Therapeutic Techniques in Biological Model Pharmacological Treatment
“Pharmacology is the science of the study of drugs to treat a wide range of less severe psychological disorders”.
Narcosis: The word “Narcosis” is derived from the Greek word meaning, “be numb”.
Prolonged Narcosis
• Person is made to sleeps for15-24 hours a day and is kept under constant observation
• Prolonged narcosis is difficult and dangerous to administer, because a number of physiological complications develop under prolonged sleep
• Seldom used today
Narcoanalysis
• Drugs are given in amounts that produce a state of “grogginess”
Chemotherapy It is the type of therapy that treats mental and behavioral disorders with drugs and chemicals a. Tranquilizers
• Drugs that produce soothing and calming effects
Energizers
• They are used with the sufferers of depression s who are not helped by sedatives
Types of Drugs
• Stimulants: Caffeine, nicotine, cocaine
• Depressants: Alcohol, barbiturates
• Anti-anxiety drugs: Benzodiazepines: diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan)
• Antidepressants: phenezine (Nardil), paroxatine (Paxil)
• Hallucinogens: lysergic acid (LSD), MDMA (Ecstasy)-in large doses, cannabis (marijuana)-in large doses
Non-pharmacological Somatic Treatment
In 1930’s, several therapies were developed which draw considerable attention
Insulin-Shock Therapy
Developed by Manfred Sakel to cure psychological disorders by administrating insulin to produce a state of comma Comma is caused because of a reduction in blood sugar level
Depression of metabolic processes tissues and cells; Found to be Effective with schizophrenics, addicts etc., if used with psychotherapy.
• Now rarely used as a method of treatment
Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT)
• A biochemical therapy for severely depressed patients in which a brief electric current is sent through the brain of the anesthetized patient
• This controversial therapy is applied to severely depressed patients
