Psychopathology- Biological Approach To Treating OCD Evaluation

Question 1

✅ Soomro

Answer 1

Soomro conducted a meta-analysis combining the data from 17 studies that compared SSRis to placebos. In total, there were 3097 participants. The results of this large-scale meta-analysis showed that SSRis significantly reduced the symptoms of OCD compared to placebos between 6 and 17 weeks post-treatment. These results suggest drug therapy is effective in the short term.

Question 2

❌ Goldacre

Answer 2

Goldacre points out that most research studies on drug therapies are conducted by the pharmaceutical companies that created them. This means the companies have a financial interest in showing the drugs are effective; this, and the file drawer problem (the fact that many negative results stay unpublished), means any metanalysis may be skewed, and drug therapies may not be as effective as claimed

Question 3

✅Drug therapy

Answer 3

Drug therapy is a relatively inexpensive and potentially more convenient treatment for the patient; this is in comparison to psychological therapies like CBT, which require the patient to find time for multiple sessions with a trained therapist. As CBT is much more expensive than drug therapy, from an economic perspective, health services like the NHS are more likely to provide drug therapy.

Question 4

❌ Many patients prefer CBT

Answer 4

Many patients prefer CBT; one reason is drug therapy can have a range of potential side effects; in the Soomro meta-analysis, it was found nausea, headache and insomnia were the most common side effects. Also, with drug therapy, it can take four months before the patient experiences symptom reduction, and patients can become dependent on the drugs.

Question 5

❌ Many patients prefer CBT

Answer 5

Many patients prefer CBT; one reason is drug therapy can have a range of potential side effects; in the Soomro meta-analysis, it was found nausea, headache and insomnia were the most common side effects. Also, with drug therapy, it can take four months before the patient experiences symptom reduction, and patients can become dependent on the drugs.

Question 6

❌ Drug therapies may only cover up the symptoms of OCD

Answer 6

Drug therapies may only cover up the symptoms of OCD, not treat the cause. It’s argued serotonin imbalance is a result of OCD, not the cause. This means the origin of OCD may not be biological but, instead, be due to a traumatic experience. Cromer (2007) showed 54% of 265 participants with OCD reported at least one traumatic life event, and those with traumatic life events reported increased severity of OCD symptoms. This sussests drug therapy may only be a temporary solution, and psychological therapies that address these traumatic life events may be a more effective long-term treatment.