The biological approach to treating OCD

• Drug therapies - What are the main drugs used to control symptoms of OCD?

  The standard biological treatment used to tackle the symptoms of OCD involves a particular type of antidepressant drug called a 'Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor' (or SSRI)
• SSRI's?

  -SSRIs are called Selective Serotonin Reuptake

  Inhibitors.

  -They only influence (select) serotonin in

  the brain; as reuptake inhibitors, they inhibit (slow

  down) the reuptake process in the synapse.

  -Therefore serotonin is still present in the synaptic cleft and

  continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron. This decreases anxiety by normalising the activity of the worry circuit.

  -SSRIs can take three to four months to reduce symptoms, and for some patients, SSRIs are not effective.

  -The dosage can be increased for drug-resistant patients or other treatment options attempted, such as anti-anxiety

  drugs like benzodiazepines.

  -->These work by enhancing a neurotransmitter called GABA, slowing the central nervous system and resulting in general relaxation.
• Evaluation - Effective

  -One strength of SSRIs is that they have been shown to be effective:

  -This means that they have been shown significantly reduce the symptoms of OCD compared to placebos (drugs with no active ingredient).

  -Evidence to support this comes from Soomro et al (2009) who found that SSRIs were significantly more effective than placebos in treating OCD.

  -This is positive as SSRIs have benefitted many peoples lives.
• Evaluation - Drugs only treat the symptoms

  -Furthermore, it is argued drugs only treat the symptoms, not the cause:

  -This means that drugs may be effective in the short-term by placing a 'chemical mask' on symptoms, however, they may not be a lasting cure.

  -For example, patients normally relapse within a few weeks after medication is stopped.

  -This is a problem as long-term solutions such as CBT may be seen as more appropriate.
• Evaluation -Cost effective

  -A further advantage is that drug therapy is cost-effective and practical:

  -This means that drug therapy is relatively cheap and also non-disruptive to patients' lives.

  -For example, drugs allow patients to reduce their symptoms without having to engage with much of the hard work needed by psychological therapies like CBT.

  -This is positive as many doctors and patients favour SSRIs for these reasons.