The biological approach to treating OCD

• Outline drug therapy as a treatment for OCD.

  The biological treatment for OCD involves SSRIs, which block serotonin re-uptake, increasing its levels to reduce obsessive thoughts and anxiety. If SSRIs are ineffective, benzodiazepines (BZs) may be prescribed. BZs enhance GABA activity, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which decreases neuron firing and relaxes the nervous system, reducing OCD symptoms.
• 💊 How do SSRIs treat OCD?

  SSRIs block serotonin re-uptake, increasing serotonin levels in the synapse, which helps regulate mood and reduce obsessive thoughts and anxiety.
• 💊 What is an alternative drug therapy for OCD if SSRIs are ineffective?

  Benzodiazepines (BZs) can be used as they enhance GABA activity, reducing neuron firing and relaxing the nervous system to lower anxiety.
• What is a strength of drug therapies for OCD related to their effectiveness?

  🟢 Research comparing SSRIs to placebos found that patients showed significantly more improvement in obsessive thoughts and anxiety in the SSRI condition than in the placebo condition, showing that drug therapies are effective beyond a placebo effect.
• What is a strength of drug therapies for OCD related to accessibility?

  🟢 Drug therapies are relatively cheap and easy to access because they can be mass-produced at low cost and taken at home. This makes them more affordable for healthcare systems like the NHS and accessible for individuals with severe OCD who struggle to leave the house.
• What is a limitation of drug therapies for OCD related to side effects?

  🔴 SSRIs can cause side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and sleep difficulties. This may lead to patients stopping their medication, reducing the effectiveness of drug therapy. In contrast, CBT does not produce these side effects, making it a more sustainable option.
• What is a limitation of drug therapies for OCD related to long-term effectiveness?

  🔴 Drug therapies tend to produce short-term effects, as research has found high relapse rates when patients stop taking their medication. This suggests that drugs may only suppress symptoms rather than treating the root cause. In contrast, CBT provides lasting strategies to manage obsessive thoughts, making it a more long-term solution.

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