Comprehensive study notes on the AQA Psychology biological approach to treating OCD . Can easily be turned into flashcards for effective revision. Includes practice questions at the end of the document.
The biological approach to treating OCD
Drug therapy
- Drug therapy for mental disorders aims to increase or decrease levels of
neurotransmitters in the brain or to increase/decrease their activity. On
the previous spread we saw that low levels of serotonin are associated
with OCD. Therefore, drugs work in various ways to increase the level of
serotonin in the brain.
SSRls
- The standard medical treatment used to tackle the symptoms of OCD
involves a particular type of antidepressant drug called a Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI).
- SSRIs work on the serotonin system in the brain.
- Serotonin is released by certain neurons in the brain. It is released by the
presynaptic neurons and travels across a synapse.
- The neurotransmitter chemically conveys the signal from the presynaptic
neuron to the postsynaptic neuron and then it is reabsorbed by the
presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and re-used.
→ By preventing the re-absorption and breakdown of serotonin, SSRls
effectively increase its levels in the synapse and thus continue to
stimulate the postsynaptic neuron.
→ This compensates for whatever is wrong with the serotonin system
in OCD.
- Dosage and other advice vary according to which SSRI is prescribed.
→ A typical daily dose of Fluoxetine is 20mg although this may be
increased if it is not benefiting the patient.
→ The drug is available as capsules or liquid.
→ It takes three to four months of daily use for SSRIs to have much
impact on symptoms.
Combining SSRls with other treatments
- Drugs are often used alongside Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBI) to treat
OCD.
- The drugs reduce a patient's emotional symptoms, such as feeling anxious
or depressed.
→ This means that patients can engage more effectively with the CBT.
- In practice, some people respond best to CBT alone whilst others benefit
more from drugs like Fluoxetine.
- Occasionally other drugs are prescribed alongside SSRIs.
Alternatives to SSRls
- Where an SSRI is not effective after three to four months the dose can be
increased (e.g. up to 60mg a day for Fluoxetine) or it can be combined
with other drugs.
- Sometimes different antidepressants are tried.
- Patients respond very differently to different drugs and alternatives work
well for some people and not at all for others.
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