He said that the psychiatric meds that came out in the 70s and 80s improved symptoms, but have not improved outcomes much compared to the “open air” treatment of 1910 where it was thought that being outdoors and unstressed was the best treatment. He didn’t say and I don’t know how the article referenced in the figure defines a “good outcome”, but it probably means being able to work, live independently, have organized thinking and find pleasure in life.
We all know that SZ is a neurobiological disease and it was interesting to learn how the brains of schizophrenics are different from those without the disease. This has been proven from radiological neuroimaging studies.
In one lecture the “Dopamine Hypothesis” is discussed. Deficits in one system cause the negative symptoms and too much dopamine in another system causes the positive symptoms. Since psychiatric drugs block dopamine receptors they can only affect the positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, but not the negative systems like withdrawal and lack of motivation and talking.
There ARE treatments that help with negative effects, however. I’d have to dig into my notes on that, but my son with primarily negative symptoms improved dramatically on Clozapine. Each person is different, however.
This is so thoughtful of you for posting this educational material for everyone here!!
Thank you!! I have signed up and will be diving in. As a neuroscience nerd I have been consistent in trying to keep up with the new information but I am also interested in all recommendations.
You have inspired me to be more mindful and start sharing the educational materials that I find!
BTW, my view on meds has changed since April, 2021. My son had 2 psychotic episodes earlier this year and was hospitalized both times. He’s now on both olanzapine and quetiapine and they have made a world of difference. In his case the treatment outcome has been very positive due to the meds. How long a person can take them for and at what level, I don’t know…
