Biological Approach To Treating OCD

Question 1

What is a drug therapy

Answer 1

Treatment involving chemicals that have a particular effect on the functioning of the brain/other body system, in psychology usually affect neurotransmitter levels

Question 2

How do SSRIs treat OCD

Answer 2

Prevent the re-absorption and breakdown of serotonin which increases its levels in the synapse, this means it continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neurone as serotonin remains in synapse making post-synaptic neuron more likely to fire its own action potential, reduces anxiety levels

Question 3

What treatment can drugs be used alongside to treat OCD

Answer 3

Used alongside CBT as the drugs reduce patients emotional symptoms eg anxiety and depression so patients can engage more effectively with the CBT

Question 4

What does SSRI stand for

Answer 4

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Question 5

What is the course of action when SSRIs are not effect after 4 months

Answer 5

-dose can be increased/combined with other drugs
-can use tricyclics(older type of antidepressant) which have similar effect as SSRIs/or SNRIs which increase levels of serotonin as well as noradrenaline

Question 6

Expand on strength that drug therapy is effective at tackling OCD symptoms

Answer 6

-clear evidence for the effectiveness of SSRIs in reducing severity of OCD symptoms so improving QoL for patients
-review of studies found significantly better results for the SSRIs than for placebo conditions with effectiveness greatest when SSRIs combined with a psychological treatment
-symptoms decreased for around 70%= can improve symptoms of most patients

Question 7

Expand on strength that drugs are cost-effective and non-disruptive

Answer 7

-cheap compared to psychological treatments, good value for public health systems like NHS
-also non-disruptive to patients’ lives as not necessary to engage with the hard work of psychological therapy
-more likely to be used over psychological therapy

Question 8

Expand on weakness that drugs can have side-effects

Answer 8

-significant number of patients also suffer side effects eg blurred vision and weight gain
-can also be more severe eg disruption to blood pressure and heart rhythm
-reduce effectiveness as patients stop taking the medication