OCD pt2 Flashcards
Is the biological explanation of OCD reductionism or holism? Why?
Reductionism
-Simplifies complex mental illness to 2 neurotransmitters
-Unrealistic, needs to take a holistic approach by looking at genes, stress and cognition
Is the biological explanation of OCD determinism or free-will? Why?
Determinism
-Controlled by genes
-Pessimistic, suggests patient is doomed and cannot overcome their illness
Is the biological explanation of OCD nature or nurture? Why?
Nature
-Ignores nurture
-There are environmental stressors e.g. trauma
-Incomplete/partial explanation
What do SSRIs stand for?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
How does drug therapy work?
What is the role of SSRIs?
What does serotonin continue to do?
-By correcting the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the synapse
-SSRIs block the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain, increasing serotonin levels
-Serotonin continues to stimulate the post-synaptic neuron
What is an example of an SSRI?
What is the dosage?
How long does it take for benefits to show?
Are they a sole treatment?
Fluoxetine
20 mg a day
3-4 months
No, with CBT
Why do we need alternatives to SSRIs?
What are 2 alternatives to SSRIs?
Incase SSRIs don’t work, we need a 2nd line of defence
SNRIs and tricyclics
What do SNRIs do?
Increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline
What are tricyclics?
Have the same effects on the serotonin system as SSRIs, but the side effects are more severe
What side effects are there to SSRIs? (5)
Indigestion
Blurred vision
Aggression
Weight gain
Loss of sex drive
Why are the side effects of SSRIs an issue? (3)
People will be less willing to take them>OCD symptoms will return>decrease in the effectiveness of the treatment
In what 2 ways are SSRIs and accessible treatment?
Non-disruptive treatment:
-doesn’t interfere with an individuals life
-just need to take a pill then continue with their life
-low effort
Cost effective:
-no need to pay for a therapist, admin, arrange appointments, hire a room etc
-cheap
What did Soomro et al review?
What did they find?
What does this research support show?
-17 studies of SSRIs
-There were better outcomes following SSRIs, rather than placebos
-Typically OCD symptoms reduced for around 70% of people taking SSRIs
-SSRIs could be significantly better than placebos at reducing OCD symptoms strengthens their value as a treatment
What did Skapinakis et al compare?
What did they find?
What does this research support show?
-SSRIs and CBT in the treatment of ODC
-Cognitive and behavioural therapies to be more effective
-Drugs may not be the optimum treatment for OCD
What did Goldcare suggest?
Why is this an issue?
-That research evidencing drug treatments may be biased due to the research being sponsored by drug companies.
-They may decide to suppress any results that does not support the drug they are marketing>results aren’t trustworth, decreases validity as we don’t know the full accuracy of SSRIs.
What did Cromer et al find?
What does this suggest?
Therefore?
-OCD was more severe in patients who had experienced traumatic events in their lives
-OCD is caused by the environment and may not always have a biological origin
-Drug therapy can sometimes be used inappropriately, making CBT more effective
