The Biological Approach to Treating OCD

• Drug Therapy:

  • Antidepressants- SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)
  • Based on the theory that OCD is caused by low levels of serotonin.
  • The drugs are used to increase activity of serotonin.
  • Regulates mood & anxiety associated with OCD & reduces activity within the Orbitofrontal cortex.
  • Most commonly prescribed drugs for OCD.
• How SSRI's work:

  1. Selectively block the reuptake of serotonin at the pre-synaptic membrane.
  2. This increases serotonin concentration at the receptor sites on the post-synaptic membrane and prolongs its activation.
  3. Serotonin is present within the user's nervous system for longer- increasing the feeling of calm & well-being associated with serotonin release.
• Drug Therapy:

  • Antidepressants: SNRI's (Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors).
  • Based on the theory that OCD is caused by too little serotonin.
  • SNRI's block the transporter mechanism that re-absorbs serotonin into the pre-synaptic cell after it has fired, they also have the same effect on noradrenaline (another neurotransmitter).
  • More of this neurotransmitter is left in the synapse, prolonging their activity.
  • Less popular because they have more unpleasant side effects.
• Drug Therapy:

  • Anti-anxiety drugs: Benzodiazepines (BZ's).
  • BZ's are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders (eg, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, phobias, general anxiety etc).
  • BZ's slow down the activity of the central nervous system by enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA.
  • GABA= the body's natural anxiety reducer, which has a 'quietening effect' on the nervous system.
• Drug Therapy Evaluation- Strength:

  • Shown effectiveness; there's considerable evidence for the effectiveness of drug treatments.
  • Soomro et al (2008) reviewed 17 studies of the use of SSRI's with OCD patients and found them to be more effective than placebos in reducing symptoms of OCD up to 3 months after treatment.
• Drug Therapy Evaluation- Weakness:

  • One of the issues regarding evaluation of treatment is that most studies are only 3-4 months duration.
  • Koran et al (2007).
  • Therefore, little long-term data exists.
• Drug Therapy Evaluation- Strength:

  • Drug therapies= most popular form of treatments in both patients & practitioners.
  • Requires little effort from user & little input in terms of time (when compared to talking therapies like CBT).
  • This means that patients are more likely to stick to a treatment plan & increases the chances of achieving wellness.
  • From the view of health services, they are cheaper compared to psychological therapies & require little monitoring- means the service can afford to treat more patients and have a greater impact.
• Drug Therapy Evaluation- Weakness:

  • All drugs have some side effects.
  • Eg, SSRI's antidepressants- nausea, headaches, insomnia.
  • Anti-anxiety drugs- increased aggressiveness, long-term impairment of memory & addiction.
  • Needs to establish whether the ends justify the means.
  • Also an ethical predicament on the part of health services as to whether they should be prescribed.
• Drug Therapy Evaluation- Weakness:

  • Koran et al (2007)- drug therapy may require little effort and may be effective short-term but does not provide a lasting cure.
  • This is indicated by the fact that patients relapse within a few weeks if medication is stopped (Maina at al, 2001).
  • It may be that drugs only treat the symptoms and not the cure.