4.1.4 BIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO TREATING OCD Flashcards

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1
Q

what are the biological treatments of OCD?

A
  • the biological approach explains OCD through the biological makeup of the individual
  • it also explains the treatments of OCD through biological treatments
  • the main biological treatment is the use of drug treatments, which affect the functioning of the brain and neurotransmitter levels
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2
Q

what are SSRIs?

A

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
- they work solely on the neurotransmitter serotonin which is associated with OCD
- they inhibit the re-uptake/absorption of serotonin which happens too fast in ppl with OCD
- by preventing this and the breakdown of serotonin, SSRIs effectively increase levels of serotonin in the synapse
- this results in the neurotransmitter remaining active in influencing the post-synaptic neuron
- the average time for them to take effect is 4 months before they impact on symptoms

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3
Q

what are SNRIs?

A

SNRIs (Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors)
- work in a similar way to SSRIs
- but they increase levels of serotonin, they also increase noradrenaline

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4
Q

what are tricyclics?

A
  • reserved for those that SSRIs don’t work for
  • it’s an older antidepressant and has more sever side effects than SSRIs
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5
Q

what are benzodiazepines?

A
  • range of anti-anxiety drugs
  • they enhance the action of the neurotransmitter GABA
    (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
  • GABA tells neurones in the brain to ‘slow down’ and ‘stop firing’ and about 40% of these neurones respond
  • have a general quietening influence on the brain
  • consequently reduces anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts experienced by OCD patients
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6
Q

what are some strengths of biological treatments of OCD?

A

1) evidence of effectiveness
- drug therapy doesn’t cure OCD but it allows for a significant improvement in patients lives

2) cost effective
- drug therapy is cost-effective as they’re cheaper than other psychological treatments

3) non-disruptive
- non-disruptive to people’s lives as they don’t need to give up time to attend therapy

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7
Q

what are some limitations of the biological treatments of OCD?

A

1) side effects
- can have potentially serious side effects
- high relapse rates once patients stop taking the drug

2) publication bias
- been shown that positive results are more likely to be published than not

3) Simpson (2004)
- found that 45% of cases in 12 weeks relapsed
- compared to only 12% of patients who had CBT

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