Lesson 13 - Biological Treatments for OCD

Question 1

Drug Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Answer 1

Biological approach uses medication to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters or the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain
General purpose is to decrease anxiety, lower arousal, lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate

Question 2

Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors

Answer 2

One method of treating OCD is anti-depressant drugs called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors
SSRIs work on the serotonin system in the brain
Released by presynaptic neurone and travels across the synaptic cleft
Chemically conveys signals from presynaptic neuron to postsynaptic neuron where it breaks down and is reused
SSRIs prevent re absorption and breakdown of serotonin which increases levels in synapse where it continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron
Should reduce anxiety

Question 3

Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors Evaluation
Soomro (2009)
Positive

Answer 3

Reviewed 17 studies comparing SSRIs to placebo drugs for treating OCD and found all 17 studies showed SSRIs drugs were more effective than placebos especially when combined with CBT

Question 4

Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors Evaluation
OCD Decline
Positive

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors Evaluation
Side Effects
Negative

Answer 5

Severe side effects which might mean that the OCD patient might stop taking medication
Temporary
Including indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive

Question 6

Benzodiazepines (BZ)

Answer 6

Anti-anxiety drugs are commonly used to treat OCD
BZs slow down activity of the central nervous system by enhancing activity of the neurotransmitter GABA
This neurotransmitter has an inhibitory effect on neurons
GABA does this by reacting special sites called GABA receptors on outside of neurons
When GABA locks into receptors, a channel opens increasing flow of chloride ions into neuron
Chloride ions make it harder for neuron to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters, slowing down neural activities and making a person more relaxed

Question 7

Benzodiazepines Evaluation
Anxiety Levels
Positive

Answer 7

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 8

Benzodiazepines Evaluation
Ashton (1997)
Negative

Answer 8

If BZ drugs are used long term then several unwanted side effects can appear like drowsiness, depression and unpredictable interactions with alcohol
Ashton found long term users become dependent on drug an sudden withdrawal leads to return of high levels of anxiety and OCD symptoms
Also a problem with tolerance whereby patients need to take larger and larger doses in order to reduce OCD symptoms and their body gets used to the drug