Treatments

• Strength - Supporting evidence for the effectiveness of SSRIs. Soomro reviewed 17 studies on the use of SSRIs to treat OCD. SSRIs more effective than placebos in decreasing OCD symptoms up to 3 months after treatments. Symptoms decline for around 70%. For the other 30% - alternative drug treatments/combo of drugs and psych treatments were effective. Shows SSRIs are effective as there's remission in most cases where SSRIs are taken. They're a flexible treatment - can be used with psych treatment to have a lasting impact on OCD symptoms
• Strength - Drugs are a preferred treatment for OCD. Non-disruptive to the patient's life as they take little time and effort compared to CBT (regular appointments and hw). Strength bc patients who don't suffer from side effects are likely to have low attrition rates and more likely to stick to and complete their treatment. Drugs are good value for health care providers as theyre cheaper than psychological treatments as no therapist is required. They are also easily dispensable and cost effective which increases their appropriateness.
• Weakness - Not a lasting cure as there is risk of relapse after discontinuation. Simpson et al found that 45% of patients on clomipramine relapsed to OCD symptoms within 12 weeks after finishing their course. Drugs have a higher relapse rate than psychological treatments (12%) . Shows that drugs don't cure OCD - only temporarily treat the symptoms. For LT treatment, psychological therapy is better. Shows that biological treatments like drugs are limited in effectiveness.
• Weakness - Drug therapy isnt applicable to all patients due to their side effects. Common side effects include nausea, headaches, insomnia, loss of sex drive (Soomro et al). Tricyclic drugs have more serious side effects: hallucinations, weight gain, irregular heartbeat. Weakness because it reduces the effectiveness of SSRIs as people may stop taking them to avoid side effects. This decreases the appropriateness of SSRIs over psychological treatments like CBT which have no side effects. People with cardiovascular or sleep conditions can't take drug therapy.