Biological approach to treating depression

Drug therapy

Treatment involving drugs i.e chemicals that have a particular effect on the functioning of the brain or some other body system.

In psychological disorders drugs usually affect neurotransmitter levels.

Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors

Needed as serotonin doesn’t all make it to the post-synaptic membrane and reabsorbes into the pre-synaptic membrane.

Block the re-uptake of serotonin at the pre-synaptic membrane. Increases the concentration of serotonin binding to the post-synaptic receptor sites.

Antidepressents

Used to normalise the ‘worry circuit’ and to regulate mood and anxiety

Examples:

• Prozac

• Sertaline

• Seroxat

• Fluoextine

Anti-anxiety drugs (Benzodiazepines)

Used to reduce feelings of anxiety. Enhance the activity of gabba which slows down the activity of the CNS

The more gabba that binds to receptor sites, the harder it is for other neurotransmitters to stimulate the neuron. This slows down its activity and makes someone more relaxed.

Examples:

• Librium

• Valium

• Xanax

Comparing SSRIs with other treatments

Used alongside CBT to treat OCD. Reduces a person’s emotional symptoms (anxiety, depression) so people can engage more effectively with the CBT.

Some people respond to CBT better alone but others benfit when using SSRIs as well

Alternatives to SSRIs

Increased dosages can be given if they aren’t effective after 3-4 months. Can also be combined with other drugs. People respond differently to different drugs so some alternatives work better for others

Tricyclics - Older antidepressants e.g. clomipramine. Acts on systems like the serotonin systems with the same effect as SSRIs. Clomipramine has more severe side-effects thatn SSRIs so it is kept in reserves

SNRIs (Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) - More recently used. Like Clomipramine, they are a second line of defence for people who don’t respond to SSRIs. Increase serotonin levels as well as noradrenaline.

S Effective

Soomro

Reviewed 17 studies which treated patients with OCD with either a placebo or SSRIs

Drug treatment more effective than the placebos in the short-term.

Suggests that drug treatments are useful and effective in treating OCD.

S Preferred treatment

Require little time and effort from the patient compared to in CBT.

SSRIs are non-disruptive as you don’t need to spend time attending therapy sessions.

Do not require a therapist so they are cheaper than other treatments.

Suggests they are useful in treating OCD

W Only short-term

Research only relies on research lasting only 3 months.

Reviews of the research showed that drug therapy may not be a lasting cure for OCD so relapsing may happen within a few weeks if medication is stopped

Long-term effects of the drugs are not known.

W Side effects

SSRIs lead to headaches, nausea and insomnia.

BZs can lead to increased aggression and long-term impairment of memory.

Both drugs can be addictive.

So some people may prefer to not take drugs as a treatment.

Suggests they are not suitable for everyone so other treatments need to be accessed