biological approach to treating ocd

Question 1

ssris

Answer 1

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
released by presynaptic neurons
travel across synapse
neurotransmitter convey signal from the presynaptic neuron to the post synaptic neuron
reabsorbed by presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and reused
- by preventing the re absorption and the breakdown of serotonin SSRIs effectively increase its levels in the synapse and continued tostim the post synaptic neuron.
COMPENSATING for what ism wrong in the serotonin system in OCD

Question 2

combining SSRIS with other treatments

Answer 2

drugs are often used alongside CBT
drugs = reduce emotional symptoms ie anxious or depressed. helps to engage more effectively with CBT

Question 3

tricyclics

Answer 3

ie clomipramine
these have the same efffect on the serotonin system as SSRIs. has more severe side effects then SSRIs so is kept as a reserve for patients who do not respond well to SSRIs

Question 4

SNRIs

Answer 4

serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
only used when patients don’t respond well to SSRIS
increased levels off serotonin as well as noradrenaline levels
relatively new

Question 5

strength
drug therapy is effective

Answer 5

clear evidence for SSRIs in reducing the severity of OCD symptoms and so improving the quality of life for OCD patients
SOMORO ET AL 2009
reviewed studies comparing SSRIs with placebos and concluded that in all studies results showed significantly better results for the SSRIs than placebo conditions.

Question 6

strength
cost effective and non disruptive

Answer 6

drug treatments are often a cheap alternative to pschological treatments. using drugs to treat OCD is therefore good value for a public health system ie NHS . compared to psychological therapies like SSRIs are also non disruptive to patents lives. if you wish you can simply engage with drug treatment and notnengage with psychological therapy .
drugs = favoured option

Question 7

limitation
drugs can have side effects

Answer 7

SSRIs are helpful to many but not all.
some patients suffer side effects like indigestion blurred vision and loss of sex drive. these are usually temporary.
clomipramine side effects are more common and can be serious . more then 1/10 suffer with erection problems tremors and weight gain. more then 1/100 become aggressive and suffer disruption to blood pressure and heart rhythm.
- factors reduce effectiveness because people stop taking the medication