Biological approach to treating OCD

Question 1

What is the most common drug therapy for OCD

Answer 1

-The most common drug therapy used to treat OCD is an antidepressant called SSRIs e.g Prozac

Question 2

How do SSRIs work

Answer 2

-SSRIs influence serotoning levels in the brain by inhibiting (slowing down) the reuptake of serotonin into the pre synaptic neurone
-This means more serotonin is present in the synaptic cleft and can continue to stimulate the post synaptic neurone/ transmit its signals
-This reduces anxiety by normalising activity of the “worry circuit”

Question 3

Negative of SSRIs and alternate treatments (benzodiazepine +GABA)

Answer 3

-SSRIs take 3-4 months to reduce symptoms and are ineffective for some patients
-Alternative treatments include anti-anxiety drugs such as Benzodiazepines, which enhance the neurotransmitter GABA; causing the central nervous system to slow down and providing a feeling of general relaxation

Question 4

Positive research evaluation of the effectiveness of SSRIs (Soomro)

Answer 4

-Soomro conducted a meta analysis on data gathered from studies comparing SSRIs and placebos
-The results from this meta analysis found that SSRIs were much more effective in reducing the symptoms than placebos between 6 weeks and 17 weeks post treatment
-This suggests that SSRIs are an effective short term treatment

Question 5

Building on Soomro’s meta analysis (Goldacre) Most research conducted by pharma companies

Answer 5

-However, Goldacre points out that most of the research on drug therapies is conducted by the pharmaceutical companies that create the drug treatments. Therefore they have a financial incentive to show these drugs as effective; this along with the file drawer problem (many negative results are left unpublished) means that many of the meta-analyses may be skewed and the drugs may not be as effective as claimed

Question 6

Inexpensive nature of drug treatments compared to psychological therapies (Positive evaluation) However most prefer psych treatments (Negative) + Economy

Answer 6

-Drug treatments such as SSRIs are relatively inexpensive and potentially more ocnvenient compared to psychological treatments such as CBT; which requires multiple sessions with a trained therapist
-However, most patients prefer CBT due to it’s lack of side effects and ability to treat the root cause of OCD; due to the reduction in symptoms as a result of CBT, patients can become more productive workers and further contribute to the economy
-Therefore CBT may be a better treatment from a cost-benefit viewpoint

Question 7

Drug treatments may only reduce symptoms + research with Cromer (negative evaluation) compared to psych treatments

Answer 7

-Drug therapies may only temporarily reduce the symptoms of OCD, rather than treat the root cause
-It is argued that lower levels of serotonin is the result of OCD, rather than the cause; therefore biological factors may not cause OCD, and it may be the result of other factors
-Cromer found that the majority of 256 participants with OCD had experienced at least one traumatic life event, and that those who had experienced a traumatic life event had more sever symptoms
-This suggests that biological treatments may only be a temporary solution and that psychological treatments that address the traumatic life experiences may be more effective in treating OCD