OCD treatments Flashcards
What is drug therapy?
treatment involving drugs-aim to restore chemical imbalances in the Brian since this is assumed to be the main cause of the disorder.
What are the the types of drugs used to treat OCD?
antidepressants
anti-anxiety drugs
What are the antidepressants used in treating OCD?
SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)
What does the serotonin system look like?
serotonin is released by the pre-synaptic neurones into the synapse, where it then travels to the receptor sites in the post-synaptic neurone
serotonin that is not absorbed is then reabsorbed into the sending cell
What does a SSRI do?
prevents the reabsorption of serotonin into the sending cell and so increases the amount of serotonin available in the synapse and results in more serotonin being received by the receiving cell-postsynaptic neurone
What are antidepressants commonly combined with?
CBT as while taking the drug patients can effectively engage with it due to a reduction in anxiety or depression.
What are the anti-anxiety drugs used in OCD treatment?
Benzodiazepines
What do benzodiazepines do?
they enhance the action of the neurotransmitter GABA
GABA tells neuron’s in the brain to ‘slow down’ and ‘stop firing’ and around 40% of the neurones in the brain respond to it.
have a general quietening effect on the brain and consequently reduce anxiety
What else does GABA do?
some neutrons have GABA reception sites at the synapse and when GABA locks into one of these, then flow of chloride ions into neurone is increased.
the chloride ions make it more difficult for the receiving neurone to be stimulated by further neurotransmitters
thus the nervous system is slowed down making the patient feel more relaxed.
What is a strength of drug treatments for OCD?
P-a strength of drug treatments for OCD is the strong evidence that they are effective
E-randomised drug trails compare the effectiveness of SSRI’s and a drug which has no pharmacological value. For example, Soomro et al conducted a review of research examining the effectiveness of SSRI’s and found the they significantly more effective than placebos in all 17 trials. Effects were even greater when combined by another treatment like CBT.
C-This supports the usage of biological treatments, especially SSRI’s, to treat OCD.
CA-However, there is some evidence to suggest that even if drug treatments are helpful for most people with OCD they may not be the most effective treatments available. Skapinakis et al. carried out a systematic review of outcome studies and concluded that both cognitive and behavioural therapies were more effective than SSRI’s in the treatment of OCD.
What is a limitation of using drug therapies in treating OCD?
P-A limitation of using drug therapies to treat OCD is that the drugs have the potential to have serious side effects
E-Although studies show that SSRI’s are effective in treating OCD, some patients experience mild side effects like indigestion, while others may experience more serious side effects like hallucinations, erection problems or heightened blood pressure. BZs are renowned for being highly addictive and also cause increased aggression and long-term memory impairments.
C-Consequently, side effects diminish the effectiveness of drug treatments, as patients will often stop taking medication if they experience negative side effects
what is a strength of drug therapies in treating OCD?
P-a strength of using drug therapies to treat OCD is their cost effectiveness.
E- In comparison to other treatments, like CBT, are relatively cost effective. consequently, many doctors prefer the use of drugs to psychological treatments, as they are more cost-effective way to treat OCD, which is beneficial for health service providers. In addition, psychological treatments like CBT require a patient to be motivated to engage whereas drugs are non-disruptive to everyday life, and can simply be taken till symptoms subside.
C-As a result, this means that drug treatments are likely to be more successful for patients who lack the motivation to complete intense psychological treatments.
