Psychopathology - biological approach to treating OCD

Question 1

What is a treatment of OCD

Answer 1

Drug therapy

Question 2

What are the aims of drug therapy?

Answer 2

To increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or to increase/decrease their activity

Low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD

Therefore drugs work in various way to increase level of serotonin in the brain

Question 3

Explain what SSRIs are

Answer 3

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain
- increase levels in the synapse and thus serotonin continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron
Compensates for what is wrong in the serotonin system in OCD

Question 4

Explain the typical dosage

Answer 4

Fluoxetine (an SSRI) - 20 mg, can be increased if it is not benefitting the person

Takes 3-4months of daily use for SSRI to impact upon symptoms

Dose can be increased if appropriate

Question 5

Explain how SSRIs combine with CBT

Answer 5

Drugs often used alongside CBT to treat OCD

Drugs reduce a person’s emotional symptoms i.e anxious, depressed. Meaning they can engage more effectively with CBT

Question 6

What are the alternatives to SSRIs

Answer 6

Tricyclics (older type of antidepressants) - sometimes used such as clomipramine
Have the same effect of serotonin system as SSRIs but side effects can be more severe

SNRIs - like tricyclics these are a second line of defence for people who don’t respond to SSRIs
They increase the level of serotonin as well as noradrenaline

Question 7

What are the strengths of drug therapy?

Answer 7

Effectiveness
Cost effective and non disruptive

Question 8

Explain how a strength of drug therapy is its effectiveness (A03)

Answer 8

Point - One strength of drug therapy is its effectiveness

Evidence - (Soomro) One study reviewed 17 studies of SSRIs for the treatment of OCD. All 17 studies showed better outcomes following SSRIs than placebos

Typically OCD symptoms reduce around 70% of people taking SSRIs

Link - this is a strength as drugs can help to most people with OCD

Question 9

Explain how a strength of drug therapy is that drugs are cost effective and non disruptive (A03)

Answer 9

Point - Another strength is that drugs are cost effective and non disruptive

Explanation - A strength of drug treatments for psychological disorders in general is that hey are cheap compared to psychological treatment. Using drugs to treat OCD is therefore good value for NHS

Comparing to psychological therapies, SSRIs are also non disruptive to people’s lives. You can simply take drugs until your symptoms decline rather than spending time going to therapy sessions

Link - Therefore a strength because it means that many doctors and people with OCD prefer drug treatments over therapy

Question 10

What is a limitation of drug therapy?

Answer 10

Serious side effects

Question 11

Explain why a limitation of drug therapy is that drugs can have serious side effects (A03)

Answer 11

Point - One limitation is that drugs can have serious side effects

Explanation minority of people taking SSRIs get no benefit. Some also experience side effects such as indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive (usually temporary)

Evidence - Those taking clomipramine, the side effects are more common and can be more serious. 1 in 10 people experience erection problems and weight gain, also 1 in 1– become more aggressive

Link - Therefore a limitation because people’s quality of life is poor and the outcome is they may stop taking the drugs altogether - reducing effectiveness of the treatment