The biological approach-Treating OCD

Question 1

Outline 3 drug therapy in treatment of OCD

Answer 1

Drug therapy aims to increase/decrease levels of neurotransmitters in brain
drug therapy:
* Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs)
* Serotonin noradrenanaline reuptake inhibitors-SNRI
* Benzodiazepines (BZs)

Question 2

Explain role of SSRis in treatment of OCD

Answer 2

• SSRI is a Type of antidepressant that acts on serotonin system
• aims to increase levels of serotonin in brain
  in person without OCD:
• The serotonin is released into synapse from PRNS neurons
• serotonin diffuses across synapse until reaches receptors sites on PSN where signal is converted back into electrical impulse
• Serotonin then reabsorbed by PRSN in ppl where it is broken down & reused

In people with OCD:
Either less serotonin is released into synapse or serotonin is reabsorbed too quickly
Thus SSRI designed to block reuptake of serotonin thereby increasing levels of serotonin in synapse

PRNS- presynaptic neurons PSN-postsynaptic neuron

Question 3

Outline Benzodiazepines(BZs)

Answer 3

• Anti-anxiety drugs: Benzodiazepines (BZs)
  (Bz’s) used to treat anxiety symptoms ( e.g obsessive thought) of OCD
  BZs work by increasing the activity of neurotransmitter GABA which slows down activity of CNS, it does this by reacting with GABA receptors , when GABA locks into receptors , a reaction occurs so its more difficult for neuron to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters -this effect slows down CNS activity makes person feel relaxed

Question 4

A01

Outline SNRI as Alternatives to SSRIs

Answer 4

• SNRI ( serotonin-Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors)used to treat ppl with ocd they increase levels of serotonin & increase neurotransmitter noradrenaline

Question 5

A03

Evidence for effectiveness of SSRIs-Soomro et al

Strength

Answer 5

Evidence to show that SSRis reduce symptoms & improve quality of life for ppl with OCD
Soomro et al reviewed 17 studies that compared SSris to placebos in treatment of OCD
All 17 studies showed signif better outcome for SSRIs than placebo condition
Supports the use of biological treatments like SSRI for OCD
Counterpoint:
Drug therapies criticised for not being most effective treatment available
Skapinakis et al carried out a systematic review of outcome studies, concluded that both cognitve & behavioural therapy exposure were more effective than SSRI in treament of OCD**

Question 6

A03

Drug treatment for OCD have serious side effects

Limitation

Answer 6

Drug treatment for OCD can have serious side effects
Although SSRI help most ppl , For small minorities will get no benefit
some ppl using SSRIs will experience side effects -indigestion, blurred vision & loss of sex drive
although temporary can be distressing & long lasting for minority

Question 7

A03

Drug therapy is cost effective & non-disruptive

Strength

Answer 7

• Drug treatments-cheap compared to psycholgical treatments as many tablets & liquids can be manafactured in the time it takes to conduct one session of a psychological therapy.
• Using drugs to treat OCD-good value for NHS & represents good use of limited funds
  SSRis are non disruptive to peoples lives -can take drugs until symptoms decline wheras psycholgical therapy requires a lot of time spent
  thus drug therapy popular