the biological approach to treating OCD

the biological approach to treating OCD

1. Drug Therapy

   • aims to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters
     • SSRI
       • work on the serotonin system in the brain
         • how? serotonin
           • serotonin - released by presynaptic neurons, travels across synapse
             • neurotransmitter conveys the signals to postsynaptic neurons
               • then reabsorbed by presynaptic neuron (then broken down and reabsorbed)
       • how? SSRI
         • prevents reabsorption of presynaptic neuron
           • increases level in synapse
       • 3 -4 months of daily use
     • combining SSRIs & CBT
       • drugs reduce emotional symptoms
         • can engage in CBT better
     • alternatives
       • Tricyclic
         • older type of antidepressant
           • clomipramine
             • same effect on serotonin system as SSRI
               • more serious side effects
       • SNRIs
         • increase levels of serotonin & noradrenaline
           • second line of defence

2. Evaluation

   • effective at tackling symptoms
     • Soomero
       • all 17 studies showed better results with SSRIs
         • greatest when combined with CBT
         • workd for about 70% of patients
           • other 30% use different drugs
   • cost effective & non disruptive
     • cheap compared to CBT
       • good for NHS
     • don't have to do any hard work like CBT
   • they can have side effects
     • e.g.
       • indigestion
       • blurred vision
       • loss of sex drive
     • clomipramine
       • more serious
         • 1 in 10
           • erection problems
           • tremors
           • gain weight
         • 1 in 100
           • aggressive
           • disruption to blood pressure & heart rhythm

3. evaluation +

   • unreliable evidence
     • research sponsored by the drug companies
       • may be biased
   • cases that follow trauma
     • drugs may not be appropriate
       • a more cognitive approach may be better
         • gets to the root of the problem