Treatments of OCD

Question 1

Drug theapy: SSRIs

Answer 1

SSRIs- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
* an antidepressant
* serotonin is released by the presynaptic neurons and travels across synapse
* it conveys the signal to the post synaptic neuron and then its reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron where its broken down and reused
* SSRIs prevent reabsorption, increasing the levels of serotonin in synapse
* typical dose of SSRIs such as fluxoxetine is 20 mg - (may be increased if not benefiting the person)
* often paired with CBT
* reduces a persons emotional characteristics which may help them engage better and respond better to CBT

Question 2

Drug therapy Alternatives

Answer 2

altenative drug therapy includes:
1. Tricyclics such as dompamine
* has more severe side effects
* prescribed to people who dont respond to SSRIs
2. SNRIs- Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors
* increase the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline
* kept on a reserve for those not responding to SSRIs

Question 3

Evaluation

Answer 3

- Supportive evidence
- CBT is more effective
+ Cheap
- Side effects

Question 4

- Supportive evidence

Answer 4

theres evidence to suggest that SSRIs work
Soomoro et al (2009)
* an analysis of 17 studies
* found that SSRIs led to significantly better outcomes than placebo conditions
* means that SSRIs are an effective treatment of OCD

Question 5

- CBT is more effective

Answer 5

• counter arguements suggest that theres evidence to point out that CBT is more effective than SSRIs
• drug therapy may not be the best treatment option for OCD
• OCD can have a range of other causes e.g traumatic experiences
• may not be appropriate to use drugs when treating cases that follow trauma when psychological therapies may provide the best option

Question 6

+ Cheap

Answer 6

• drug therapy is cheaper than psychological treatment
• good value for the NHS
• non-disruptive to peoples lives as it saves people from having to attend therapy
• more appropriate because clients don’t require motivation

Question 7

- side effects

Answer 7

• drug therapy may have side effects that reduce the quality of life such as indigestion, blurred vision, loss of sex drive, heart seizure and weight gain
• people may stop taking tablets, the drugs loose their effectiveness
• its not appropriate due to their major side effects