4. PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (THE BIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO TREATING OCD) Flashcards
What is the Biological Approach to treating OCD?
The biological approach to treating OCD focuses on using drugs to correct abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, to reduce OCD symptoms.
What is the function of SSRIs in treating OCD?
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) work by inhibiting the re-uptake of serotonin, allowing more serotonin to remain in the synapse and continue stimulating the post-synaptic neuron, helping regulate mood and reduce OCD symptoms.
How do SSRIs help with anxiety in OCD patients?
SSRIs reduce anxiety by regulating serotonin levels, which helps alleviate the anxiety that is often associated with OCD, contributing to a reduction in OCD symptoms.
What are Benzodiazepines (BZs) and how do they treat OCD?
Benzodiazepines (BZs) are anti-anxiety drugs that work by enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which slows down the central nervous system and reduces anxiety, helping manage OCD symptoms.
What is the role of D-Cycloserine in treating OCD?
D-Cycloserine is an antibiotic that enhances the transmission of GABA, reducing anxiety and helping treat OCD symptoms. It is also used in the treatment of tuberculosis.
What does Soomro et al. (2009) conclude about SSRIs for treating OCD?
Soomro et al. (2009) found that SSRIs are significantly more effective than placebos in reducing the severity of OCD symptoms, based on 17 studies.
What is a strength of using drug therapies for treating OCD?
Drug therapies, especially SSRIs, require less time and effort from the patient compared to therapies like CBT, making them more accessible and more likely to be continued by patients, leading to quicker recovery.
Why is drug therapy considered cost-effective?
Drug treatments are cheaper and require less time from patients compared to long-term therapies like CBT, making them a cost-effective treatment option for OCD, particularly for healthcare systems like the NHS.
What are some side effects of drug treatments for OCD?
SSRIs can cause side effects like sleep problems, irritability, and even increased suicide risk. Benzodiazepines can be addictive, creating additional challenges for patients.
Why are side effects of drug treatments a limitation?
Side effects like sleep disturbances or addiction to Benzodiazepines can create additional problems for patients, potentially leading them to stop taking the medication, which reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.
What is a limitation of drug treatments for OCD in relation to other therapies?
Non-biological treatments like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) are effective in treating OCD without affecting neurotransmitter levels, suggesting that drug treatments may not address all aspects of OCD.
What is the issue with drug treatments only treating symptoms of OCD?
Drugs like SSRIs reduce symptoms but do not cure OCD. They may help with depression symptoms but may not address obsessive thoughts, which can lead to high relapse rates if only drug treatments are used.
What is publication bias in the context of drug treatments for OCD?
Publication bias refers to the tendency for studies that show positive outcomes for drug treatments to be published, while studies with negative or neutral results may be withheld, exaggerating the effectiveness of drugs in treating OCD.
Why is publication bias a limitation for drug treatments for OCD?
Publication bias can create a distorted view of the effectiveness of drug treatments, as only studies with positive results may be published, which can mislead both clinicians and patients about the true effectiveness of the treatment.
