Evaluation

• What is a strength of drug therapy for OCD?

  It is cost-effective and widely available
• Why are drugs considered more accessible than CBT for OCD?

  Drugs are cheaper and more readily available
• How does drug therapy impact health service budgets?

  It lessens the impact on the economy
• What is a potential economic benefit of treating more people with OCD?

  They may return to work quicker
• What type of research supports the efficacy of drug therapy for OCD?

  Meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials
• Who conducted a meta-analysis on drug therapy for OCD?

  Greist et al., 1995
• What did Greist et al. find about drugs compared to placebo?

  Drugs were significantly more effective than placebo
• What is a limitation of drug therapies for OCD?

  They can have potentially serious side effects
• What side effects can SSRIs cause?

  Blurred vision, loss of libido, irritability
• What side effects can BZs cause?

  Drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, slurred speech
• How do side effects limit the usefulness of drug therapies?

  They can discourage patients from using them
• What is publication bias in drug trials?

  Positive results are more likely to be published
• Who found that drug companies selectively publish positive outcomes?

  Goldacre, 2013
• What is the ethical concern regarding selective publication of drug outcomes?

  It lessens the validity of drug therapies
• What question arises from only publishing positive results of drug trials?

  Is the drug truly effective in treating OCD?