The Biological Approach to Treating OCD

Question 1

The biological approach

Answer 1

• Mainly focus on drugs

- Drug therapy aims to increase/ decrease the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or their activity

Question 2

How do SSRIs work to cure OCD?

Answer 2

Are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

They block the reuptake of serotonin back into the presynaptic neuron - keeps more serotonin available in synapse to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron

Compensates for whatever is wrong with the serotonin system and alter mood for the good

Question 3

Drug Therapy and ?

Answer 3

• Drugs often used alongside CBT to treat OCD

- This reduces the patient’s emotional symptoms so they can better engage in therapy

Question 4

Alternative Drugs to SSRIs

Answer 4

Used when SSRIs aren’t effective

• Trycyclics (an older depressant e.g. clomipramine) : has same effect on serotonin system but with more severe side effects
• SNRIs (serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) : increase levels of serotonin and noradrenalin which is associated w/ stress

Question 5

Anti-anxiety drugs

Answer 5

• Benzodiazepines (BZs) are commonly used to reduce anxiety

=> slows down the activity of the CNS and enhances the efffect of GABAs

Question 6

(S) Evidence of Effectiveness - Soomro et al (2009)

Answer 6

In a review of 17 studies comparing SSRIs to placebos, all showed significantly better outcomes w/ SSRIs - symptoms reduced in 70%

Reviewing 30% - most can be treated w/ alt drugs or combo of drugs + therapy

MEANS drugs are helpful for OCD

Question 7

(L) Counter to Evidence of Effectiveness - Skapinakis et al (2016)

Answer 7

• Carried out a systematic review of outcome studies
  Concluded cognitive + behavioural therapies were more effective than SSRIs in treating OCD

THUS not optimum treatment

Question 8

(S) Cost effective + non-disruptive

Answer 8

• Cheap compared to therapies - 1000s of tablets manufactured in time to conduct a session => good for public healthcare/good use of limited funding
• Non-disruptive as taking drugs until symptoms decline as therapies need time to attend

MEANS drugs are popular w/ many with OCD + doctors

Question 9

(L) Serious side effects

Answer 9

Some suffer indigestion, blurred vision and loss of libido

Trycyclics have more common and serious side effects - such as weight gain + tremors w/ 1 in 100 having heart rhythm + blood pressure problems as well

MEANS may reduce quality of life + stop patients taking them => cease to be effective

Question 10

(L) Biased evidence/ Publication bias - Goldacre

Answer 10

Some researchers are sponsored by drug companies - have strong interest in continuing sucess of drugs
May selectively publish positive outcomes for drugs

Question 11

(L) Not a lasting cure - Cromer

Answer 11

Psychological therapies should be tried first
- patients often relapse within a few weeks if treatment is stopped

• OCD is often linked to traumatic life events and thus talking therapies has the potential to be a more long-lasting solution