Treating OCD Flashcards
What are biological treatments are based on the idea of what?
(Biological treatment)
Based on the idea of correcting biological abnormalities seen as causing OCD.
What is the most common form of biological therapy?
(Biological treatment)
Drugs are the most common form of biological therapy, though psychosurgery is also occasionally used.
What are the two types of biological treatment?
(Biological treatment)
Drug therapy.
Psychosurgery.
How do SSRIs work?
(Anti-depressants, SSRIs)
(Drug therapy)
They block the absorption of serotonin.
These elevate levels of serotonin and cause the OFC to function at normal levels.
What are the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants for adults, and children?
(Anti-depressants, SSRIs)
(Drug therapy)
Adults: Prozac.
Children (aged 6): sertraline.
Children (aged 8 and over): fluvoxamine.
How long do anti-anxiety drug courses last for?
(Anxiolytics, anti-anxiety)
(Drug therapy)
Between 12 and 16 weeks.
Why are they used? Give an example of one.
(Anxiolytics, anti-anxiety)
(Drug therapy)
Used because of their anxiety lowering properties e.g. BZ’s.
Do antipsychotics treat OCD by increasing or decreasing dopamine?
(Antipsychotics)
(Drug therapy)
Antipsychotic drugs that have a dopamine lowering and increasing effect have been proven useful in treating OCD.
When are antipsychotic drugs (with a dopamine lowering effect) given to patients? Why?
(Antipsychotics)
(Drug therapy)
Only given after treatment, when SSRIs haven’t shown to be effective (or incurs serious side effects).
Antipsychotics have far more side effects than SSRI’s or anxiolytics, and thus are only given when SSRI’s do not work.
State 3 positive effects of antipsychotics on an individual.
(Antipsychotics)
(Drug therapy)
Are effective in reducing the symptoms of OCD.
Quick compared to other treatments such as CBT.
Fast acting, people are able to function in a normal manner without interruption. (Anxiolytics).
Target specific neurotransmitters. (SSRI’s).
Makes you feel better and in turn changes behaviour and thoughts.
Relatively cheap, don’t require a therapist to
administer.
State 3 negative effects of antipsychotics on an individual.
(Antipsychotics)
(Drug therapy)
Can be inconvenient, as are reliant on drugs.
Treat symptoms and not the root cause.
Patient does not have to take responsibility.
Side-effects e.g. nausea, suicidal thoughts, sleep disturbances.
More suitable for adults, as they are more able to tolerate and understand the side effects.
Can be costly for both the individual and the healthcare system.
May contribute to an addiction if used incorrectly. Can become over-dependent.
More of a permanent solution, drug taking can last many years.
When therapy stops patients relapse within a few weeks.
Outline Pigott and Seay’s study from 1999.
(Supports the notion that SSRI’s should be used initially)
(Treating OCD Research, AO3)
Supports the notion that SSRI’s should be used initially.
This is because they reviewed studies testing the effectiveness of drug therapies, finding SSRIs to be consistently effective in reducing OCD symptoms.
While the anti-depressant drug Clomipramine proved slightly more effective, it had more serious side-effects.
This suggests that SSRIs should be given as a first attempt, with other drug treatments only being used when SSRIs are not being effective.
Outline Cicerone et al’s study from 2000.
(Supports the use of antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of OCD)
(Treating OCD Research, AO3)
Supports the use of antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of OCD.
This is because they investigated the effect of low doses of antipsychotic drugs in treating OCD, finding treatment effective due to the drugs dopamine lowering effect.
This suggests that some forms of OCD can be reduced, and that some originate from high dopamine levels.
How can drug therapy be used alongside CBT to treat OCD?
(Treating OCD, AO3)
The drugs reduce the patient’s emotional symptoms, such as feeling anxious or depressed.
This means that patients can engage more effectively with CBT.
In practice some people respond best to CBT alone whilst others benefit from drugs like Fluoxetine.
This suggests that treatments are able to benefit each other; the focusing effect received from drug therapy can improve and enhance psychological treatments.
This may benefit the patient, as they are able to get back to functioning adequately quicker.
When is psychosurgery used? Why?
Only given as a final solution, as if mistakes are made then the patient may be negatively affected for life.
