4.4.3 Biological treatments of OCD

Question 1

What is the main drug used in drug therapy for OCD?

Answer 1

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

Question 2

Explain how SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) work?

Answer 2

/The work solely on the neurotransmitter serotonin which is associated with OCD
/They inhibit the re-uptake/ absorption of serotonin, which happens too fast in people with OCD
/By preventing the reabsorption of and breakdown of serotonin, SSRIs effectively increase levels of serotonin in the synapse, which results in the neurotransmitter remaining active in influencing the post-synaptic neuron
/The average time for SSRIs to take effect is 4 months, before they impact on symptoms

Question 3

What alternative drugs are there?

Answer 3

/SNRI’s (Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors)
/Tricyclics

Question 4

Strengths of biological treatments?

Answer 4

Evidence of Effectiveness, although drug therapy doesn’t ‘cure’ OCD, it allows for a significant improvement i.n the suffering life, reducing OCD behaviours.

Drug therapy is cost-effective as they are cheaper than other psychological treatments, which is preferred for health services that have a budget they must adhere to.

Drug therapy is non-disruptive to people’s lives as they do not have to give up time to attend therapy.

Greist et al. (1995) conducted a meta-analysis where they reviewed placebo-controlled trials of the effects of 4 drugs on OCD, they found all 4 drugs were significantly more effective than the placebo.

Question 5

Limitations of biological treatments?

Answer 5

Side-effects: Drug therapies can have potentially serious side effects: With SSRIs, these side effects can include; blurred vision, loss of sexual appetite, irritability, indigestion, and sleep pattern disruption.

High relapse rates once patients stop taking the drug.

Simpson (2004) found that 45% of cases in 12 weeks relapsed, compared to only 12% of patients who had CBT. This suggests, that drug therapy does not treat OCD.