Treating OCD

Question 1

What is drug therapy

Answer 1

drugs that aim to bring levels of neurotransmitters to normal

• SSRIs
• Anti anxiety drugs

Question 2

What are SSRIs

Answer 2

Selective Serotonin Re uptake Inhubitors

Antidepressants such which:

• inhibit the re-uptake of serotonin in the brain enabling the serotonin to remain active at the synapse, where it continues to stimulate the post-synaptic neuron. This enables the neurons to work normally.

They also reduce the anxiety associated with OCD. SSRIs help to regulate mood and anxiety which reduces the symptoms of OCD.

Question 3

What is an example of anti anxiety drugs

Answer 3

Benzodiazepines (BZs) are commonly used to reduce anxiety; they slow down the activity of the central nervous system by enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA.
When released, GABA has a general quietening effect on many neurons in the brain.

Question 4

What are examples of other drugs

Answer 4

D-Cycloserine enhances the transmission of GABA and has an effect on reducing anxiety and therefore OCD.
It is an antibiotic used in the treatment of tuberculosis

Question 5

What are strengths of the biological approach to treating OCD?

Answer 5

supported by evidence
Work quicker than CBT

Question 6

What are limitations of the biological approach to treating OCD?

Answer 6

Side effects
Other treatments are effective

Question 7

Evaluate supported by research as a strength of the biological explanation of treating OCD

Answer 7

P: Evidence for the effectiveness of SSRIs.

E: Soomro et al reviewed studies comparing SSRIs and placebos in the treatment of OCD and concluded that all 17 studies showed significantly better recovery rates for the drug treatment.

E: This is a strength of the biological approach to treating OCD because this research suggests that the treatment is effective. Therefore, drug therapies are an effective treatment of OCD.

Question 8

Evaluate that they work quicker than CBT as a strength of drug therapy

Answer 8

P: Require little time and effort from the patient.

E: Less time is required compared to therapies such as CBT where the patient has to attend regular meetings, usually over at least a year, and do a range of activities.

E: This is a strength of drug treatment because it means that patients are more likely to continue taking the drugs and will therefore will potentially recover quickly. It is also cheaper compared to treatments like CBT, it is therefore good value for the NHS.

Question 9

Evaluate side effects as a limitation of drug therapy

Answer 9

P: Drugs have side effects.

E: For example, SSRI’s can cause sleep problems, irritability and even increased risk of suicide whilst BZs are addictive.

E: Limitation because the treatment will lead to the patient experiencing additional difficulties on top of their OCD symptoms and may mean the person stops taking them so they cannot be effective.

Question 10

Evaluate that other non biological treatments are effective as a limitation of drug therapy

Answer 10

P: Other non-biological treatments are effective at treating OCD.

E: Behavioural treatments like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), where patients are exposed to their feared stimulus and at the same time are prevented from
performing their compulsive behaviour, are effective although they have no effect on neurotransmitters.

E: Limitation of the neural explanation of OCD as it suggests that it is over- simplistic as other things than neural factors play a role in OCD. They are of limited use on their own and should be used alongside other therapies