L13-Biological Treatments for OCD

Question 1

Drug Therapy for OCD

Answer 1

The biological approach uses drug therapy to correct the imbalance of neurochemicals(serotonin) in order to reduce symptoms.

Question 2

Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors(1)

Answer 2

One method of treating OCD is anti-depressant drugs called Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors. These include Prozac, fluoxetine.

Question 3

Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors(2)—Neurones

Answer 3

Serotonin is released by presynaptic neurons and travels across the synaptic cleft(gap between neurones). It chemically conveys the signal from the presynpatic neuron to the post synaptic neuron, where it is broken down and reused.

Question 4

Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors(3)—SSRIS

Answer 4

SSRI’s prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin and so increase the level of serotonin in the synapse, where it continues to stimulate the postsynpatic neurone. The effect of this should be to reduce anxiety.

Question 5

Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors(4)

Answer 5

It typically takes 3-4 months of daily use for SSRI’s to impact upon symptoms. The typical daily dosage of SSRI may be increased if it is not benefitting the patient as appropria

Question 6

Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors Evaluation(1)

Answer 6

+ Soomro(2009) reviewed 17 studies that compared SSRIs to placebo drugs for treating OCD and found that all 17 studies showed that SSRI drugs were more effective than placebos, especially when SSRIs were combined with CBT.

Question 7

Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors Evaluation(2)

Answer 7

+ 70% of patients have experienced a decline in OCD symptoms when taking SSRIs. The remaining 30% of patients tend to opt for psychological therapies or a combination of SSRIs and psychological therapies.

Question 8

Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors Evaluation(3)

Answer 8

-A problem with SSRIs is that they have severe side effects which might mean that the OCD patient might stop taking the medication. Side effects are temporary but include indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive.

Question 9

Benzodiazepines(1)

Answer 9

Anti-anxiety drugs(Benzodiazepines) are commonly used to treat OCD. BZs slow down the activity of the CNS by enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA. This neurotransmitter has an inhibitory effect on neurones.

Question 10

Benzodiazepines(2)

Answer 10

GABA does this by reacting with special sites called GABA receptors on the outside of neurones. When GABA locks into these receptors it opens a channel that increases the flow of chloride ions into the neurone. Chloride ions make it harder for the neurone to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters, thus slowing down neural activity and making a person feel more relaxed.

Question 11

Benzodiazepines Evaluation(1)

Answer 11

+ BZ drugs can begin to reduce anxiety levels and OCD symptoms in a short period of time, especially compared to other treatments like CBT, so that the patient experiences immediate relief.

Question 12

Benzodiazepines Evaluation(2)

Answer 12

-If BZ drugs are used long-term, then several unwanted side effects can begin to appear such as drowsiness, depression and unpredictable interactions with alcohol. Ashton(1997) found that long-term users of BZ become very dependent on the drug and a sudden withdrawal, of the drug leads to a high level of anxiety and OCD symptoms. There is also the problem of tolerance whereby patients need to take larger and larger does of the drug in order to reduce their OCD symptoms because their body gets used to the drug.