Psychopathology - biological treatments of OCD Flashcards
List the drugs that can be used tp treat OCD
- SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
- SNRI’s (serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
- Tricyclics
- Benzodiazepine - BZ’s such as Valium
explain how SSRI’s help treat OCD
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors work by increasing serotonin in the brain by preventing its reabsorbsion by presynatic neuron by blocking it which results in increasing the levels of serotonin in the synapse which results in continued stimulation of the post synaptic neuron.
explain how SNRI’s help treat OCD
SNRI’s work in a similar way to SSRI’s but as well as increasing levels of serotonin, they also increase another neurotransmitter called noradrenaline.
explain how tricyclics help treat OCD
Blocks the transporter mechanism that reabsorbs both serotonin and noradrenaline, (again like SNRI’s and SSRI’s) prolonging their activity.
is reserved for those that SSRIs do not work for: It is an older antidepressant and has more severe side effects than SSRIs, so is usually only used on those that other drug therapies have not worked
explain how benzodiazepines (BZ’s) help treat OCD
- Benzodiazepine - BZ’s such as Valium are the most prescribed drugs for psychological disorders, they are very effective against stress and anxiety.
- They act by reducing central (brain) anxiety. BZs enhance the actions of a natural brain chemical GABA.
- GABA tells neurons that it contacts to slow down or stop firing. Since about 40% of the neurons in the brain respond to GABA, it has a general quietening influence.
what does GABA stand for
gamma-aminobutyric acid
How do benzodiazepines enhance the actions of GABA
They react with special sites (GABA-receptors) on the outside of the receiving neuron. This opens a channel that allows negatively charged chloride ions to pass to the inside of the neuron.
- These chloride ions make the neuron less responsive. BZs bind to special sites situated on the GABA-receptor, boosting the actions of GABA, so allowing more chloride ions to enter the neuron, and making it even more resistant to excitation.
Evaluate drug therapies in treating OCD
- A weakness is that drugs have side-effects
- A weakness is non-complience
- A strength is that drug therapy is effectve at tackling the symptoms of OCD
- A strength is that drugs are cost effective and non-disruptive
How are side effects a weakness of drug therapies
A weakness is that drugs can have side effects. This is a weakness because side effects can have negative impact on a person’s quality of life this is a weakness because it can lead to non-compliance this means that the drug become ineffective.
Although drugs like SSRI’s are often helpful to those who have OCD, a significant minority will gain no benefit
How is non-complience a weakness of drug therapies
When the client feels better they may stop taking the drugs this is a weakness because ot takes a couple of days for serotonin levels to balance but 3-4 months for symptoms to reduce (SSRI’s). This means that some people may stop taking the drugs because they dont think it is working and therefore it doesnt
how is drug therapies being effective a strength of drug therapies
- Soomro (2008) reviewed 17 trials of SSRIs and found them to be more effective than placebos in reducing the symptoms of OCD up to three months after treatment.
- Kahn et al. (1986) showed that compared to a placebo, BZs were more effective at reducing anxiety.
How is being cost effective a strength of drug therapies
A strength of drug therapies is that they are cheap in comparison to psychological treatments. This is a strength because it means that they more assessable this means that more patients are likely to take them.
How is being non-disruptive a strength of drug therapies
unlike psychological treatments like psychotherapy drug treatments dont take a chunk of the day to complete just a couple minutes this is a strength as it means patients are more likely to continue treatment. This means that they are less likely to drop out of treatment and will therefore be able to live with reduced/ no symptoms
list some side effects of SSRI’s
indigestion
blurred vision
loss of sex-drive
these are usually temporary
list some side effects of clomipramine
(an SNRI)
over 1/10 people:
- erection problems
- tremors
- weight gain
more than 1/100 people:
- became agressive
- suffer disruption to blood pressure and heart rhythm
