PHAR 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Antipsychotic, Psychosis, Sedation

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Course: PHAR 100
• Professor: Courtney Green

Document Summary

Modern psychiatry was revolutionized by the advent of mediations to treat psychiactric disorders. Discovered in 1950 to relieve anxiety and reduce the death rate associated with surgical shock: antihistamines that made patients drowsy and somewhat sedated o o. Patients became sleepy and lost interest but didn"t lose consciousness. Introduced it to psychiatrists who used it for schizophrenia. First generation antipsychotics blocked d2 receptors which improved positive symptoms, but caused extrapyramidal symptoms ( parkinsonian symptoms such as tremors: any adverse symptoms prevent the patients from staying compliant. Onset usually young people maturing into adulthood. Premorbid phase- subtle motor, cognitive and social impairments. Prodromal phase- mood, cognitive symptoms, social withdrawal, ocd. Full syndrome- substantial functional deterioration in self-care, work, and interpersonal relationships. Positive symptoms (typical of psychoses: hallucinations and delusions o. Irrational beliefs that can be very complex and organized: grandeur (above everyone else) and paranoia, unconnected thoughts.