Biological Approach To Treating OCD

Question 1

What are the two types of drugs used to treat OCD

Answer 1

1. Anti-depressants
2. Anti-anxiety drugs

Question 2

State the three types of anti-depressant drugs used to treat OCD

Answer 2

1. Selective seritonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
2. Tricyclics
3. Seritonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Question 3

Explain how SSRIs increase seritonin levels

Answer 3

They inhibit the re-absorption of seritonin in the pre-synaptic neuron which then increases the concentration of seritonin at the synapse

Question 4

Explain how SNRIs treat OCD

Answer 4

They block the transporter mechanism that re-absorbs both seritonin and noradrenaline in the pre-synaptic cleft after it has fired

Question 5

What is a disadvantage of using tricyclics

Answer 5

They have more severe side effects than SSRIs

Question 6

How do anti-anxiety drugs work

Answer 6

They reduce anxiety by slowing down the activity of the CNS by enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA

Question 7

What effect does GABA have on the CNS

Answer 7

A quietening effect which reduces anxiety

Question 8

What is the difference between SSRIs and SNRIs

Answer 8

SSRIs stop the reuptake of seritonin whereas SNRIs stop the reuptake of both seritonin and noradrenaline

Question 9

Outline research evidence that’s shown the effectiveness of drug treatment for OCD

Answer 9

Soomro et al. (2009)
- reviewed 17 studies comparing SSRIs to placebos
- found that SSRIs are more effective than placebos in reducing symptoms of OCD

Question 10

Outline two disadvantages of using drug therapy

Answer 10

1. Side effects- nausea, headaches, hallucinations and aggressiveness
2. Not a lasting cure- symptoms return when patient stops taking medication