biological approach to treating OCD Flashcards
what is the purpose of drug therapy?
-treat OCD in various ways to increase level of serotonin in the brain
what does SSRI work? (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)
-serotonin system in the brain
How does serotonin work in the brain?
- released by the presynaptic neurons
2.travels accross synapse
3.reaches post synaptic neuron
4.then re absorbed by pre synaptic where its broken down and re used
how do SSRI’S carry out their work?
-prevent re absoption and breakdown
-increase serottinin ; stimulate post synaptic neuron
what dosage is recomended with SSRIS?
-daily dose of fluxetine 20mg
-increased if prsn doesnt benefit
-capsules or liquid form
-3 to 4 months in order to work
How does combining SSRIS work with CBT?
-drugs reduce depressed symptoms and anxious feelings
-so people OCD engage better with CBT
What are the alternatives to SSRIs?
-if not effective after 3-4 months then dosage may increase to 60mg or combined with other drugs
-or other anti depressants tried
what are the 2 other alternatives?
-tricyclics and SNRIs
what are tricyclics?
-older type of antidepressant
-clomipramine
-same effects as SSRIs;working on serotonin system
- clomipramine has more severe side effects so generally resevered only for those who dont repsond to SSRIs
what is SNRIs
(serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors)
-more recently used to treat OCD
-2nd line of defence for those not responding to SSRIs
-SNRIs increase lvls of serotonin as well as noradrenaline
what are the strengths of the biological approach to treating OCD?
(good evidence)
-SSRIs improve peoples quality of life
-Soomro et al reviwed 17 studies that compared SSRIs to placebos in treatment of OCD
-all 17 studies shwoed signficantly better outcome for SSRIs than placebo
-symptoms reduce for around 70% of people taking SSRIs
-remaining 30% can take part in alternative, combo or therapies
-drugs help most ppl w OCD
(cost effective and non disruptive)
-cheap; many tablets manfucatured in the time to do 1 psycholgical therapy
-good use of limited funds for NHS
-non disurpitve; take drugs till symptoms decline, dont have to attend a session
-drugs are popular
what are the limitations of the biological approach to treating OCD?
(counterpoint to effectiveness)
-skapinakis et al carried out review of outcome studies and concluded that both cognitive and behavioural therpaies were more effective than SSRIS
- so drugs may not be the best treatment
(serious side effects)
-indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive
-normally temporary and distressing
-minority have it long term
- clomipramine side effects are more serious
e.g 1 in 10 erection issues and weight gain
1 in 100 become agressive and heart issues
-reduced quality of life in turn
(biased evidence)
-evidence for effectivness is baised as some researchers are sponsored by drug companies and may publish positive outcomes for the drug their sponsors are selling
