Biological Approach To Treating OCD

Question 1

what is the key assumption of the biological approach to treating OCD

Answer 1

• suggestion that OCD is caused by low levels of neurtransmitter serotonin means that it can be treated by prescribing drugs, such as anti depressants, which will improve mood and reduce anxiety

Question 2

What are the two types of anti-depressant drugs

Answer 2

Tricyclics - oldest form of anti-depressant drugs, work on increasing levels of serotonin and noradrenaline. Eg: clomipramine
SSRI’s - work on targeting and increasing serotonin rather than any other neurotransmitters. Eg: fluoxetine

Question 3

How do anti depressant drugs work

Answer 3

• electrical impulses trigger the release of neurotransmitters from the pre-synaptic neuron
• when neurotransmitters cross the synapse, they bind to receptor sites on the post synaptic neuron
• the neurotransmitters are then reabsorbed by the pre-synaptic neuron in a process called re-uptake when they are broken down and re-used
• SSRI’s bind to the receptor sites preventing re uptake of serotonin
• increases activity of serotonin by prolonging their time in the synapse and allowing them to bind more to the receptors on post synaptic neuron

Question 4

What is an anti-depressant drug called

Answer 4

Benzodiazepines

Question 5

Explain how anti anxiety drugs work

Answer 5

• enhance the action of the neurotransmitter, GABA
• this has a naturally calming influence because it slows down neuronal activity as it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter
• increases the efficiency of GABA, making it do its ‘calming’ job better by reacting with GABA sites
• meaning that activity in the central nervous system is slowed down

Question 6

Strength: supporting

Answer 6

I: supporting evidence for the use of anti depressants
E: Soomro et al conducted a meta analysis of 17 studies comparing SSRI’s to a placebo. Overall SSRI’s were more effective than a placebo in reducing the symptoms for up to 3 months
C: means drug therapy is an effective treatment for OCD in the short term

Question 7

Strength: cost effective

Answer 7

I: drug treatments are cost effective and non disruptive
E: drug therapy appeals to many patients as it requires minimum effort from the user and takes up little of their time, compared to psychological therapies
Drugs are also cheaper for health services to supply than psychological therapies
C: means drug therapy is more appropriate treatment for OCD, compared to psychological therapies as it may be preferred by both patients and professionals

Question 8

Weakness: side effects

Answer 8

I: drugs can produce unpleasant side effects
E: SSRI’s cause headaches, insomnia and nausea
Tricyclics cause hallucinations and irregular heartbeat; only prescribed when SSRI’s have been ineffective
C: means drug therapy is not always appropriate as a treatment for OCD, as patients may ultimately suffer from the side effects than their symptoms

Question 9

Weakness: relapse

Answer 9

I: drug treatments can have high relapse rates
E: Simpson et al found that 45% patients treated with tricillic clompramine, the disorder retunded within 12 weeka of completing the course. whereas drug therapy had a relapse rate of 12%
C: drug therapy is not effective as a treatment dor OCD, as it does not provide a lasting cure