biological treatments of ocd

Question 1

drug therapies

Answer 1

• it’s suggested that ocd is due to low serotonin levels in the brain
• choy and schneier (2008) say SSRIs are the preferred treatment, they improve mood and reduce anxiety

Question 2

how do SSRIs work?

Answer 2

serotonin that isn’t absorbed into the post-synaptic neuron is reabsorbed into the sending cell, SSRIs prevent it from being reabsorbed to increase the level of serotonin available in the synapse, this then increases the conc of it at receptor sites on the post-synaptic neuron, intensifying stimulation on the receiving nerve

Question 3

anti-anxiety drugs

Answer 3

• benzodiazepines (BZs) enhance the action of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
• GABA tells neurons in the brain to slow down and stop firing, about 40% of neurons in the brain respond to it
• so BZs have a quietening influence and reduce anxiety
• if GABA locks onto a GABA receptor site, the flow of Cl ions into the neuron increases, these make it harder for the receiving neuron to be stimulated by further neurotransmitters, so the nervous system is slowed making the patient feel more relaxed

Question 4

give a strength of biological treatments
1/2

Answer 4

research support from randomised drug trials which compared SSRIs with a placebo. soomro et al (2008) reviewed research into SSRI effectiveness and found they were significantly more effective than placebos across 17 different trials. this supports the use of biological treatments for ocd. however, these studies only conclude short-term effectiveness of drugs, with long-term effects still to be investigated

Question 5

give a strength of biological treatments
2/2

Answer 5

drug therpies are cost effective compared to psychological treatments. many doctors prefer using drugs as they’re a more cost effective solution which is good for health care providers. drugs are non-disruptive to daily life and can be taken till symptoms subside, unlike psychological treatments which require motivation. so drugs are likely to be more successful for patients who lack the motivation to complete psychological treatments

Question 6

give a limitation of biological treatments
1/2

Answer 6

possible side effects of drugs. some patients taking SSRIs have mild side effects like indigestion, and others more serious like hallucinations, erection problems and raised blood pressure. BZs can be highly addictive and can cause increased aggression and long-term memory issues, so ashton (1997) recommends BZs for short-term treatments up to 4 weeks. patients may also stop taking the meds due to neg side effects, reducing their effectiveness

Question 7

give a limitation of biological treatments
2/2

Answer 7

criticised for treating the symptoms not the cause of the disorder. although SSRIs increase levels of serotonin in the brain which alleviates symptoms. they don’t treat the underlying cause of ocd. also when a patient stops taking the meds, they are prone to relapse. koran et al (2007) suggest psychological treatments may be more effective long term