The Biological Approach - TREATING

• drug therapies, OCD


  - the primary class of drugs used to control the symptoms of OCD are a group if antidepressant drugs
• SSRIs


  - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

  - only influence serotonin in the brain; inhibit (slow down)the reuptake process in the synapse

  - serotonin is still present in the synaptic cleft and continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron

  - decreases anxiety by normalising the activity of the worry circuit

  - can take 3/4 months to reduce symptoms
• benzodiazepines (GABA)


  - work by enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter, GABA

  - this slows the CNS and results in general relaxation, effective when SSRIs fail as they work on multiple neurotransmitters (non-selective)

  - however have intense side effects
• A03 - Soomro


  - meta-analysis combining 17 studies comparing SSRIs to placebo

  - found SSRI significantly reduced symptoms of OCD compared to placebos between 6 and 17 weeks post-treatment
• A03 - economic implications


  - in comparison to psychological theories, drug therapy is relatively inexpensive (short-term) and potentially a more convenient treatment

  - however, long term role is reversed, treats symptoms not cause, lead on to positive multiplier effect
• A033 - many patients prefer CBT


  - drug therapy (especially benzodiazepines) can have a range of potential side effects

  - Soomro: found nausea, headaches, and insomnia were the most common