Psychopathology: Lesson 13: Biologicsl Treatments For OCD

Question 1

How does the biological approach help treat illnesses?

Answer 1

It uses medication to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters or the activity of neurotransmitters

Question 2

Outline how Selective serotonin Re-uptake inhibitors help to treat OCD (SSRI)

Answer 2

• low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD
• this drug increases levels of serotonin to alleviate symptoms of OCD
• serotonin is released by the presynaptic neurons. It chemically conveys the signal from the presynaptic neuron to the post synaptic neuron, and is then reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron, where it is broken down and reused
• SSRIs prevent the reabsorbtion and break down of serotonin and so increase the level of serotonin in the synapse, where it continues to stimulate the post synaptic neuron
• this should reduce anxiety

Question 3

Evaluation of Serotonin Re-uptake inhibitors (70% vs 30%) (+)

Answer 3

+ 70% of Patients have experienced a decline in OCD symptoms when taking SSRIs
- the remaining 30% of Patients tend to opt for psychological therapies or a combination of SSRIs and psychological therapies

Question 4

Evaluation of Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (side effects) (-)

Answer 4

• they have terrible side effects
• which means that patient may stop taking the medication
• side effects include indigestion blurred vision and loss of sex drive

Question 5

What are Benzodiasepines?

Answer 5

A type of anti-depressant

Question 6

What is the problem with using anti- anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines to treat OCD?

Answer 6

They slow down the activity of the nervous system by enhancing the activity of a neurotransmitter known as GABA

Question 7

How does GABA work?

Answer 7

• it has an inhibitory effect on neurons
• it does this by reacting with the GABA receptors on the outside of neurons
• it then opens a channel that increases the flow of chloride ions into the neuron
• chloride ions make it harder for the neuron to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters, slowing down neural activity and makin a person feel more relaxed

Question 8

Evaluation of Benzodiazepines (+)

Answer 8

+ can reduce anxiety levels and symptoms of OCD over a short period of time, especially compared to other treatments like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Question 9

Evaluation of Benzodiazepines (-)

Answer 9

• several unwanted side affects (e.g. drowsiness, depression and unpredictable interactions with alcohol) after long-term use
• psychologists have found that users of BZ become dependent and sudden withdrawal leads to the return of high levels of anxiety and OCD symptoms
• there are also tolerance issues because patients need to take larger and larger dosages as their body gets used to the drug