biological treatments for OCD

Question 1

what is drug therapy?

Answer 1

treatment involving medication which aims to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the brain

Question 2

what are SSRIs?

Answer 2

antidepressants:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
e.g. prozac, fluoretine

Question 3

how do SSRIs work?

Answer 3

1. serotonin is released by the presynaptic neurons and travels aross a synapse
2. serotonin chemically conveys the signal then is usually reabsorbed, broken down and reused.
3. SSRIs prevent the reabsorbtion of serotonin s that it continues to stimulate the post-synaptic neuron.

Question 4

how long do SSRIs take to work?

Answer 4

3-4 months of daily use

Question 5

what are BZs?

Answer 5

anti-axneity drugs
benzodiazepines

Question 6

how are drugs used alongside CBT to treat OCD?

Answer 6

the drugs reduce emptional symptoms associated with OCD, allowing patients to engage more efficiently with CBT

Question 7

+AO3 : evidence of effectiveness (Soomro)

Answer 7

Soomro et al. (2009) reviewed 17 studies that compared SSRIs to placebos for treating OCD. In all studies there was significantly better outcomes for those taking SSRIs, symptoms reducing for around 70%. Therefore. suitable evidence to show that drug therapies are effective in treatming OCD.

Question 8

-AO3 : CA Skapinakis

Answer 8

However, counter-evidence. Skapinakis et al systematically reviewed outcome studies and concluded that both cognitive and behavioural therapies were more effective than drug treatments for OCD. Therefore, drug therapy may not be the optimal treatment for OCD.

Question 9

+AO3 : cost effectiveness

Answer 9

CBT sessions cost £40-£100 per session and 5-20 sessions are needed for treatments. If done for free waiting lists are extermely long. Drug therapy costs less money and is much easier to access and do not disrput everyday life. Therefore, drug therapy is a prefered treatment for OCD patients as well as doctors due to its ease.

Question 10

-AO3 : potential side effects

Answer 10

While SSRIs do help most, some can experience side effects such as indigestion, hallucinations and rasied blood pressure. BZs side effects include increased aggression, long term memory impairments and being higly addictive. Usually these are temporary but they can be very distressing and for a small amount of takers they are long-lasting. Therefore, side effects may effect takers lives so much that they stop taking the medication, reducing any effectiveness.