L13 - Biological Approach To Treating OCD

Question 1

Name the two types of drugs available

Answer 1

• SSRI drugs: Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors

- BZ drugs: Benzodiazepines

Question 2

What does SSRI do?

Answer 2

• Aim to prevent the re-uptake of serotonin + prolong its activity in the synapse. Person will be less anxious and have a higher level of serotonin available
• Low levels of Serotonin are implicated in the worry circuit (damage to caudate nucleus = failure to suppress minor worry signals = message sent to orbital frontal cortex = worrying gets worse)
• Increasing serotonin regulates mood and reduces anxiety, reduces the worry circuit
• High levels of Serotonin help the orbital frontal cortex to function normally. This has connections with sensory areas and the limbic system (involved in emotion and memory), so can stablise moods and emotions, and improve memory
• Serotonin becomes readily available so high moods occur often

Question 3

SSRI evaluation (+)

Answer 3

• Soomro (2009) compared SSRI to placebo drugs and all 17 studies showed SSRIs were more effective, especially when paired with CBT
• SSRIs are relatively effective with 70% of patients experiencing a decline in symptoms
• SSRIs are relatively cheap and cost effective. It is good value for money and is economical

Question 4

SSRI evaluation (-)

Answer 4

• SSRIs would be more effective if combined with other treatments
• They do not work for all OCD patients, and they might have to take another medication to alleviate symptoms
• They have terrible side effects which means the patient may stop taking it
• It requires little effort but is only effective short term and does not provide a lasting cure. Patients can relapse. So other therapies should be used instead

Question 5

What does BZ do?

Answer 5

• aim to control the action of neurotransmitters to reduce anxiety
• they reduce the activity in the CNS and reduce brain arousal
• reduces blood pressure and heart rate
• aim to reduce GABA (a neurotransmitter that slows the firing of neurons and makes the person calmer, and reduces physiological activity
• BZ binds to GABA of the neuron. The Cl ions make it harder for the neuron to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters, thus slowing its activity
• Neurons in the brain become less active
• BZ Reduces anxiety
• BZ decreases serotonin levels, so they are less happy and more likely to become depressed

Question 6

Evaluation of BZ (+)

Answer 6

• Very effective, used by millions worldwide, and good at reducing anxiety on a global basis
• Very quick and effective to cure symptoms compared to other treatments. There are immediate benefits of relief
• Can be used for short periods of time, and won’t produce any serious side effects

Question 7

Evaluation of BZ (-)

Answer 7

• If used long term, can have some serious side effects e.g depression. Patients have a high chance of being in an accident
• Ashton (1997) found users became very dependent and withdrawal leads to high anxiety levels and OCD symptoms. They become tolerant to the drug so need to take larger doses to reduce symptoms
• Stewart (2005) found long term use leads to cognitive impairments (speed and processing verbal learning). This improves after medication stops, but is still below that of a patient who hasn’t taken the medication at all.