In your studies of clinical psychology, you will have learned about a key question of relevance to today's society - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 2

The efficacy of drug treatment for mental disorders is a significant area of discussion in clinical psychology. Many mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are treated with pharmacological interventions. For instance, in 2018, the NHS in England prescribed over 70.9 million items for mental health issues.

However, while medications can provide relief, patients often experience delays in accessing psychotherapy. For example, the financial burden on the NHS due to antidepressant prescriptions was about £672.5 million up to October 2018. This statistic underscores the heavy reliance on pharmaceutical solutions.

From a psychological perspective, drugs work by altering neurotransmitter levels in the brain, aiming to alleviate symptoms. Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, decrease neurotransmitter activity, particularly dopamine, which helps manage symptoms of conditions like schizophrenia. Conversely, antidepressants enhance neurotransmitter availability, such as serotonin, which is crucial for mood regulation. Thus, while drug treatments play a vital role, they must be viewed within the broader context of mental health care, where psychotherapy is equally essential.