Biological approach to treating OCD

• Low levels of serotonin are linked to both OCD and depression, antidepressants are used to increase and rebalance serotonin levels
• an increase in serotonin levels reduces anxiety
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)- a type of antidepressant that is thought to act by blocking the reuptake of serotonin
• neurotransmitters- electrochemical messengers that transmit messages across the synaptic gap during the process of synaptic transmission
• presynaptic neuron- a nerve cell that sends an electrical impulse to a neighbouring neuron
• postsynaptic neuron- a nerve cell on the receiving end of an electrical impulse from a neighbouring cell
• The standard medical treatment used to treat symptoms of OCD involves an antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• SSRIs aim to increase the level of serotonin in the brain by preventing the reabsorption of serotonin
• By preventing the reabsorption of serotonin, SSRIs effectively increase its level in the synapse and stimulate the postsynaptic neuron
• a typical dose of fluoxetine is 20mg- this can be increase if its not helping the patient
• it takes 3-4 months of daily intake for drugs to have an impact on OCD
• Other examples of SSRIs include prozac and paxil
• drugs are often used alongside CBT
• drugs reduce the patient's emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression
• by reducing anxiety and depression, a person can engage more effectively in CBT
• Some sufferers may not need drugs alongside CBT
• When an SSRI is not effective after 3-4 months, the dose can be increased
• Tricyclics

  • older antidepressant
  • Clomipramine
  • prevent reabsorption of serotonin
  • only used when SSRIs aren't effective
• Side effects of tricyclics

  • dry mouth
  • blurred vision
  • constipation
• SNRIs- serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
• SNRIs

  • last 5 years, used to treat OCD
  • used when SSRIs are ineffective
  • prevent reabsorption of serotonin and noradrenaline
  • increased serotonin and noradrenaline, regulated mood and anxiety
• SSRIs are the first-line of treatment for OCD, they may be taken alone or with therapy
• STRENGTHS of the bio approach to treating OCD

  • effectiveness of drug therapy- Soomro et al (2009) found symptoms decline by 70% in patients who take SSRIs
  • Preference- drug therapies are cheaper and require less time than CBT
• LIMITATIONS of bio approach to treating OCD

  • unreliable evidence- Turner et al (2008) claims there is a publication bias which exaggerates the positive outcome of antidepressants
  • side effects- Soomro et al (2008) identified nausea, headache and insomnia as common side effects. Clomipramine has more common and more serious side effects, more than 1 in 10 suffer from tremors and weight gain