Evaluation

• What did Soomro et al. (2009) review in their study?


  17 studies comparing SSRIs to placebos for treating OCD
• What was the main finding of Soomro et al. (2009) regarding SSRIs?


  SSRIs showed significantly better results than placebo conditions
• What was the observed reduction in symptoms after treatment with SSRIs?


  A reduction in symptoms was noted 6-13 weeks post treatment
• Why does the large sample size of 3097 participants in Soomro et al. (2009) strengthen the study's validity?


  It increases the generalizability of the results
• How do placebo conditions enhance the findings of Soomro et al. (2009)?


  They ensure that the effect is caused by the SSRIs
• What percentage of patients experience symptom reduction with SSRIs?


  Approximately 70% of patients
• What is a counterpoint to the effectiveness of SSRIs in treating OCD?


  Effectiveness is usually best when combined with psychological treatment (CBT)
• What are the economic implications of drug treatment compared to psychological treatment?


  Drug treatment is much cheaper and less disruptive to patients' lives
• Why are drugs considered less disruptive to people's lives compared to CBT?


  Drugs only require swallowing a pill, while CBT requires multiple sessions
• What are the potential side effects of drug therapy for OCD?


  Indigestion, blurred vision, and loss of sex drive
• How severe are the side effects of tricyclics compared to SSRIs?


  Side effects of tricyclics are usually more severe
• What are some severe side effects experienced by patients taking tricyclics?


  Erection problems, tremors, and weight gain
• What concerns arise from the side effects of drug therapy for OCD?


  They raise questions about whether the drug is worth taking
• What did March et al. (2007) study regarding treatment for depression?


  The effectiveness of CBT, antidepressant drugs, or a combination of both
• What was the outcome of March et al.'s study over 36 weeks?


  Both CBT and antidepressant drugs showed the same effectiveness
• What are the implications of March et al.'s findings for the economy?


  Antidepressant drugs are more cost-effective than CBT, encouraging investment in drug therapy
• Why is drug therapy considered more time-effective than CBT?


  Taking a drug is quick and simple compared to multiple CBT sessions
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using SSRIs for treating OCD?


  Strengths:

  • Significantly better results than placebo
  • Large sample size increases generalizability
  • Cost-effective and less disruptive

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Effectiveness often requires combination with CBT
  • Side effects can raise concerns about treatment worth
• How do the findings of psychological research into depression treatment impact healthcare decisions?


  • Antidepressant drugs are more cost-effective than CBT
  • Both treatments show similar effectiveness
  • Encourages investment in drug therapy over CBT