Biomedical treatment
By Mr Daniel Hansson
Biomedical treatment
• What is it?
• Supporting studies
• How can it be used to treat anorexia
nervosa and major depression?
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
What is it?
• Psychological disorders are assumed to
involve changes in brain chemistry
(neurotransmitters and hormones)
• The treatment focuses on normalizing the
brain chemistry by the use of medicine,
such as antidepressants, electroconvulsive
therapy or psychosurgery (removing the
damaged area)
Types of biomedical treatments
• Drug therapy
• Electroconvulsive therapy (For severe
cases of depression)
• Psychosurgery (Rare, for severe cases, if
all other treatments have failed)
• Exercise
• Acupuncture
• Herbal medicine
Supporting studies
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Caspi (2003)
Geddes et al.
Kirsch et al.
Turner et al.
How can it be used to treat
anorexia nervosa?
• Restore weight
• Anti-depressants (SSRI:s) are effective if patient
•
•
is in remission to reduce risk of relapse
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) may help some low weight
anorexia patients in regards to anxiety and
obsessional thinking
Cyproheptadine (an anti histamine that may
stimulate appetite)
How can it be used to treat major
depression?
• Use of SSRI:s (e.g. Prozac)
• Tricyclic medicine
• Electroconvulsive therapy (for severe
cases)
Evaluation
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More effective for depression than anorexia nervosa
Some studies show that cognitive therapy is as effective
Possible side effects
Drugs may be expensive
Only treats symptoms, not causes
ECT may lead to memory loss, mode of action is
unknown
• More effective for severe depression
• Many placebo studies show a significant positive effect
of the treatment
• Some of the effect is due to placebo
Conclusion
• Should be used in conjunction with other
treatments and mainly for more severe
cases