Treating OCD

Question 1

What is the most common form of biological therapy?

Answer 1

Drugs

Question 2

What is the aim of drugs?

Answer 2

They are based on the idea that psychological disorders are due to an imbalance of chemicals in the body. Drugs aim to bring about equilibrium by either increasing or decreasing the availability of certain neurotransmitters to redress this imbalance

Question 3

What is the main drug used for treatment of OCD and what do they do?

Answer 3

Antidepressants, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reputable inhibitors) which elevate levels of serotonin and cause the orbital frontal cortex to function at more normal levels. Treatment usually lasts between 12 and 16 weeks

Question 4

What are the two other drugs that could be used to treat OCD and what do they do?

Answer 4

1. Anxiolytics drugs- they are used due to their lowering anxiety properties
2. Antipsychotic drugs- they have a dopamine lowering effect

Question 5

What are three strengths of using the biological approach to treat OCD?

Answer 5

1. Drugs reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour to such a level that a more normal lifestyle can be achieved
2. Drugs are relatively cheap and don’t require a therapist. They are also user friendly as people are used to taking medicine for other illnesses
3. Julien reported that although SSRIs do not cause symptoms to full disappear, between 50 and 80% of patients improve allowing them to live a fairly normal life which they wouldn’t be able to do without the treatment