Biological Approach To Treating OCD

Question 1

What is the biological treatment for OCD? (2)

Answer 1

• drug therapy is a biological treatment for OCD which works by balancing levels of nts in the brain to reduce symptoms of OCD e.g anx
• one drug used is an anti depressant called selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 2

How do SSRIs work? (2)

Answer 2

• SSRIs inc seretonin activity levels by blocking the reabsorption of seretonin to the presynaptic neuron so it continues to activate the post synaptic neuron
• they have been shown to reduce anx ass with OCD

Question 3

How long do SSRIs take to work and what are the alternatives? (2)

Answer 3

• SSRIs usually take around 3-4 months to reduce symptoms of OCD and dosage can vary from person to person
• a diff class of antidepressants called SNRIs have been used to treat OCS in recent years as these inc levels of seretonin and noradrenaline activity if SSRIs havent been effective

Question 4

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate the biological approach to treating OCD?

Answer 4

RTS - SSRIs vs placebos
Strength - requires little motivation and commitment
Weakness - neg side effects

Question 5

P
(RTS SSRIs vs placebos)

Answer 5

RTS effectiveness of drug therapy as a treatment of OCD was conducted by a researcher

Question 6

E

Answer 6

They reviewed approx 20 studies of the use of SSRIs to treat OCD and found that they were more effective in reducing symptoms of OCD compared to placebos

Question 7

E

Answer 7

Symptoms were reduced in approx 70% of ppl taking SSRIs, the remaining 30% can be helped with alternative or combination of drugs and psychological therapies

Question 8

L

Answer 8

Therefore showing effectiveness of drug therapy as a treatment for OCD

Question 9

P
(Requires little motivation and commitment)

Answer 9

One strength of drug therapy is that it requires little motivation and commitment from patients

Question 10

E

Answer 10

This is bc patients only have to take a tablet in order to reduce symptoms of OCD

Question 11

E

Answer 11

This may be a better option for patients than CBT to treat OCD as this requires more motivation and commitment to attend sessions to challenge their irrational thoughts/obsessions

Question 12

L

Answer 12

• therefore some patients may prefer drug therapy as a treatment for OCD
• drug therapy is also cost effective as money saved on treating OCD thru drug therapy in NHS can be spent elsewhere benefitting society, therefore benefitting the economy

Question 13

P
(Side effects)

Answer 13

Despite this strength, drug therapy may not be appropiate for everyone as they can cause negative side effects

Question 14

E

Answer 14

• e.g. SSRIs can cause nausea, headaches and insomnia
• this is an issue as patients may become distressed from side effects and stop taking meds

Question 15

L

Answer 15

Therefore red effectiveness of drug therapy as a treatment for OCD