[Psychopathology] Topic 9 - The biological approach to treating OCD

Question 1

2 Type of Anti-depressants

Answer 1

• SSRI anti-depressants (prozac): are the most commonly used drugs to reduce the anxiety associated with OCD. They block the uptake of serotonin in the pre-synaptic membrane, increasing serotonin concentration at receptor sites on the post-synaptic membranes.
• Since low serotonin levels are implication in the brain’s worry circuits, increasing serotonin may normalise the circuit
• Tricyclic anti depressants (Anafanil) block the transporter mechanism that reabsorbs both serotonin and nor-adrenaline into the pre-synaptic cells that released them
• The effects of this is to increase both serotonin and nor-adrenaline levels. Tricylics have more side effects than SSRI.

Question 2

Anti Anxiety drugs

Answer 2

(Benzodiazapine) BZ anti- anxiety drugs (e.g xanax) are also used to treat OCD. they enhance the activity of Gama-aminobutyric acid which has a general quietening effect on many brain neurons.

Question 3

Using drugs to treat OCD is supported by research that shows that they are effective

Answer 3

• Using drugs to treat OCD is supported by research that shows that they are effective
• Soomro et al found drugs were more effective than placebos in reducing symptoms.
• However most of the studies in Soomro et al’s meta analysis only lasted for three months which means that we know little about the long-term effectiveness of drugs

Question 4

One strength of drug therapy is that it requires little input of effort from the user

Answer 4

• One strength of drug therapy is that it requires little input of effort from the user
• For example, psychological therapies are time consuming
• They also require the person to attend regular meetings and think about tackling their problem which means that drug therapies are more economical for the health service.