The biological Approach To Treating Depression

Question 1

What does the biological approach utilise in treating OCD

Answer 1

The biological approach uses medication to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters, or their activity in the brain. The general purpose is to decrease anxiety, lower arousal, lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate

Question 2

What are SSRIs

Answer 2

Low levels of serotonin damage the caudate nucleus and the brain fails to suppress minor worry signals. These signals are sent to the orbital frontal cortex and the worrying gets worse. SSRIs are one method of treating OCD. They are called selective serotonin reuptske inhibitors and Some include include Prozac And Fluoxetin. Serotonin is released by presynaptic neurones and travels across the synaptic cleft. It chemically conveys the signal from the presynaptic neurone to the post synaptic neuron and then reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and reused. They aim to prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin and prolong and increase its activity in the synapse where it is able to keep stimulating the pre synaptic neuron. This should reduce anxiety and help the orbital frontal cortex work normally

Question 3

Evaluation SSRIs

Answer 3

+Soomro reviews 17 studies that compared SSRIs to placebos for treating OCD. All studies showed that the SSRI drugs were more effective than placebos, especially when combined with CBT
+70% of patients who took SSRIs have experienced a decline in OCD symptoms. The remaining 30% tend to opt for psychological therapies or a combination of both. Suggesting that SSRIs are most effective with CBT?
-A problem with SSRIs is that it can come with severe side effects which may cause the patient to stop taking the medication. Side effects are temporary but include indigestion, blurred vision, loss of sex drive
-SSRIs may not work for all OCD patients as for some patients it may not alleviate symptoms and may take an alternative drug treatment such as BZ which may be more effective.
+ very cheap compared to others such as cbt

Question 4

What is BZ?

Answer 4

Benzodiazepines are drugs used to reduce anxiety and control the action of neurotransmitters in order to treat OCD. Some examples are Valium and Diazepam. BZ enhances the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which has an inhibitory effect on neurones by slowing down the rate at which they fire. BZ increases GABA, which binds to GABA receptors on the outside of neurones. This increase the flow of chloride ions into that neuron, making it harder for the neuron to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters, reducing thr activity in the central nervous system and reducing brain arousal, making the person feel more relaxed. It also reduces blood pressure and heart rate. However BZ decreases serotonin levels, making them more likely to get depressed

Question 5

Evaluation BZ?

Answer 5

+BZ drugs can be used for a short period of time and will produce almost no side effects, unlike other types of drugs. Therefore with BZ, side effects are kept to a minimum (in the short term) and this is good for OCD patients.
-However if used in the long term, then patients will experience some server side effects for example: drowsiness, depression and unpredictable interactions with alcohol. Paitients have a high chance of being involved in accidents. BZ should not be used as a long term treatment.
-Ashton found that long term users of BZ became very dependent on it and a sudden withdrawal of the drug leads to high levels of anxiety and OCD symptoms. There is also a problem of tolerance where patients need to keep taking larger doses of BZ I’m order to reduce thier symptoms as their body gets used to the drug
+BZ is quick and effective compared to other psychological treatments, to reduce symptoms of OCD. So patients will experience immediate relief.