Discuss biological treatments for OCD.

• AO1 - SSRIs


  Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), treatment relies on drug therapy to correct imbalances of the neurotransmitters caused by the SERT gene which is associated with OCD. The SERT gene leads to low levels of serotonin to the brain, to correct this SSRIs, selective serration reuptake inhibitors are often prescribed. These work by preventing the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain and so increases serotonin levels in the synapse so the postsynaptic neurone can be stimulated, therefore can reduced symptoms and anxiety.
• AO1 


  The drugs must be taken daily and usualy take a few months to see improvement in symptoms. There are also alternatives to SSRIs such as tricyclics which increase serotonin but have more side effects, SNRIs which increase serotonin and noradrenaline and benzodiazepines which help with anxiety. 
• AO3- Supported by research.


  E: Soomro et al. (2009) in an analysis of 17 studies found that SSRIs were more effective in 70% of cases compared to a placebo.

  E: This shows that increasing serotonin levels help to reduce symptoms and so are an effective treatment for OCD as cause and effect can be established.

  L: As well since many studies were looked at a large sample was used which allows for the result to be generalised a to a wide group of people since it is more likely that the sample is representative and so has high external validity. 
• AO3 - side effects

  E: Some of the side effects of SSRIs include nausea, weight gain, insomnia, and dizziness these side effects can be off putting to patients and so may prevent them from taking the drugs or stop them from using them during treatment.

  E: Therefore, if the drugs are no longer being used, they are no longer effective at treating OCD.

  CA: However, these side effects are very rare and so most patients are able to take the drugs to effectively treat symptoms of OCD without complications and so takes a nomothetic approach as is able to treat most cases. 
• AO3- Cost effective. 


  E: Cost of drugs cheaper than CBT, up to £100 per session due to the need for a trained specialist.

  E: Therefore, in treatment most clinicians will prescribe SSRIs over therapy due to cost.

  L: This is important for public health serices such as the NHS, funds more effectively in order to be able to treat as many patients as possible effectively. So, drug treatments for OCD have applications to psychology in the economy as help to save money in health services whilst treating as many people as possible.
• AO3 - Publication bias

  E: This is because research into the effectiveness of OCD drugs is often done by the pharmaceutical companies which make the drugs.

  E: Turner et al. (2008) showed that there is a publication bias with drug companies who have an influence in reporting the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic drugs.

  L: This creates a false idea that the drugs are more effective at reducing symptoms. Clinicians making inappropriate treatment decisions which are not in the best interest of the patient.

  CA: evidence available does support the idea that drugs effective treatment.