Psychopathology- The Biological Approach To Treating OCD Flashcards
Drug therapy - Treatment involving drugs, i.e. chemicals that have a particular effect on the functioning of the brain or some other body system. In the case of psychological disorders such drugs usually affect neurotransmitter levels.
Here’s the revised set of questions and answers for the “Drug Therapy” section, ensuring all information from the text is included:
Q1: What is the aim of drug therapy for mental disorders?
A1: Drug therapy for mental disorders aims to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or to adjust their activity. This helps to address the symptoms of the disorder.
Q2: What neurotransmitter is associated with OCD, and how do drugs work in treating it?
A2: Low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD. Drugs work in various ways to increase serotonin levels in the brain or enhance its activity to compensate for the dysfunction in the serotonin system.
Q3: What is the standard drug treatment for OCD?
A3: The standard medical treatment for OCD is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant that works on the serotonin system in the brain.
Q4: How do SSRIs work in the brain?
A4: SSRIs prevent the re-absorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain, which increases its levels in the synapse. This continuous stimulation of the postsynaptic neuron compensates for the serotonin system dysfunction in OCD.
Q5: What is the typical dosage of Fluoxetine (an SSRI), and how long does it take for SSRIs to have an impact?
A5: The typical daily dose of Fluoxetine is 20mg, although it may be increased if necessary. It generally takes three to four months of daily use for SSRIs to significantly impact symptoms.
Q6: How are SSRIs combined with other treatments for OCD?
A6: SSRIs are often combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat OCD. The drugs help alleviate emotional symptoms like anxiety or depression, making it easier for patients to engage effectively with CBT.
Q7: How do different patients respond to drug treatments for OCD?
A7: Some patients respond better to CBT alone, while others benefit more from SSRIs. In some cases, other drugs may be prescribed alongside SSRIs.
Q8: What alternatives to SSRIs are used if they are not effective after a few months?
A8: If SSRIs are ineffective after three to four months, the dose can be increased, or SSRIs can be combined with other drugs. Alternatives include:
• Tricyclics (e.g., Clomipramine): These have the same effect on serotonin but come with more severe side effects, so they are reserved for patients who do not respond to SSRIs.
• SNRIs (serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors): SNRIs increase serotonin and noradrenaline levels and are used when SSRIs are ineffective.
Q9: How effective is drug therapy, particularly SSRIs, in reducing OCD symptoms?
A9: There is clear evidence that SSRIs are effective at reducing OCD symptoms. Soomro et al. (2009) found that SSRIs significantly outperformed placebos in 17 studies. Around 70% of patients experience significant symptom decline with SSRIs, while the remaining 30% may benefit from alternative drug treatments or combinations of drugs and psychological treatments.
Q10: What are the advantages of drug therapy for OCD?
A10: Drug therapy is cost-effective compared to psychological treatments, making it a good option for public health systems like the NHS. It is also non-disruptive to patients’ lives since they can simply take the medication without engaging in extensive therapy.
Q11: What are the side effects of SSRIs?
A11: SSRIs can cause side effects like indigestion, blurred vision, and loss of sex drive. These side effects are generally temporary.
Q12: What are the side effects of Clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant?
A12: Clomipramine has more severe side effects than SSRIs. These include erection problems, tremors, weight gain, aggression, and disruptions to blood pressure and heart rhythm, affecting more than 1 in 10 patients.
Q13: How do side effects impact the effectiveness of drug therapy?
A13: Side effects can reduce the effectiveness of drug therapy because some patients stop taking the medication due to discomfort or concerns about these side effects.
Q14: What controversy exists around the effectiveness of drug treatments for OCD?
A14: There is controversy surrounding the evidence for drug treatments, as some psychologists believe the research supporting drugs is biased. This bias may stem from studies sponsored by drug companies that do not report all the evidence (Goldacre, 2013).
Q15: How do drug treatments compare with psychological therapies for OCD?
A15: Drug treatments are cost-effective and less disruptive, but psychological therapies may address the underlying causes of OCD more effectively. Both approaches have strengths and limitations, and the combination of both often yields the best results.
Q16: Is it appropriate to treat OCD with drugs if it follows a traumatic life event?
A16: While OCD is typically considered to have a biological origin, it can also be triggered by trauma. In such cases, it may not be appropriate to treat the condition solely with drugs, as the underlying cause (trauma) might need a different approach.
This version covers everything from the provided text. Let me know if you’d like any more changes!
