Lecture notes
biological approach to treating OCD
- Module
- Psychopathology
- Institution
- AQA
notes on bio approach to treating OCD in topic of psychopathology of aqa psychology a level
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Biological approach to treating OCD- Drug therapies for mental disorders involve increasing or decreasing the levels of
neurotransmitters in the brain.
- Most treatments for OCD include increase the level of serotonin in the brain.
SSRI’s
- Antidepressants used to treat OCD.
- They prevent serotonin left in the synaptic cleft from being recycled and returned to the
presynaptic neuron. This leaves excess serotonin in the synaptic cleft which continues to
stimulate the post synaptic neuron.
- Artificially tricks the brain into thinking it must fire more of this neurotransmitter
- An example is fluoxetine which takes 3 or 4 months of daily use to have an effect.
Alternative to SSRIs
- When SSRI is not effective after 3- 4 months the dose cane be increased or combined
with other drugs, people respond differently to different drugs and sometimes
alternatives work well for some and not others.
- Benzodiazepines anti-anxiety drugs (Valium/ diazepam)
- Enhance GABA neurotransmitter which tells neurons to slow down and stop firing, which
reduces anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts. (quieting influence on the brain)
- Alternatives also include Tricyclic and SNRI’s these increase noradrenalin as well as
serotonin.
Combination
- Combined with CBT as drugs reduce emotional symptoms such as depression and
anxiety meaning the patients can engage more effectively.
Evaluation
Evidence of effectiveness
- Clear evidence showing SSRI’S reduce symptom severity and improve the quality of life
for people with OCD.
- Soomro reviewed 17 study's that compared SSRI’S to placebos in OCD treatment. All
17 studies showed significantly better outcomes for SSRI’S than placebos.
- Typically, symptom reduce of around 70% for SSRI group. For the remaining 30% they
can be helped by alternative drugs or drug combinations and therapies.
Counterpoint
- Evidence to suggest even if drug treatments are helpful to most people with OCD, they
may not be the most effective treatment possible.
- Study concluded that cognitive and behavioural therapies were more effective then
SSRI’S.
- Meaning drugs may not be the optimum treatment for OCD.
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