Biological approach in treating OCD

Aim of biological approach to treat OCD

• regulate levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.

• does this by using anti- depressants (SSRIs) and anti- anxiety drugs (Benzodiazepine)

Benzodiazepine in treating OCD

• increases the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA

• GABA has ‘quietening effect’- tells neurone to stop stressing

• GABA locks onto receptor site, increasing flow of chlorine ions into neuron.

• Chlorine ions make it harder for neuron to be stimulated by other NT’s so slows nervous system- patient more relaxed.

Strength- Research support for SSRIs

• Randomised drug trails compared effectiveness of SSRIs and placebo drug

• Soomro et al did research about this- found SSRIs were more effective than placebo treating OCD across 17 trials

• Supports biological treatment. But studies critised only looking at short term effectivness of drugs not LT

Weakness- Symptoms not the cause

• Drugs only treat symptoms of disorder not cause

• SSRIs increase levels of serotonin in bran reducing anxiety, relives symptoms of OCD- dosent treat cause.

• Once patient stops taking drug, prone to relapse.

• Koran et al suggest psychological treatment like CBT more effective LT solution- lasting treatment.

Strength- Preferable to other treatments

• little input from user- less motivation, time needed.- Cost effective

• Contrast- therapies like CBT need patient attending regular meetings, high motivation.

• Drug therapies cheaper for health services as need little monitoring, cost less than psychological treatments- doctors prefer.

• Means drug therapies are more economical for health services, more attractive to patients than psychological treatments.

Weakness- Side effects

• SSRIs cause nausea, headaches and Benzodiazepine increases aggressiveness, LT mem impairment.

• Addiction problems in BNZO so limited to max of 4 weeks.

• So side effects aren’t severe but may cause patient to not want to take them. Limits effectiveness of drug treatments.

SSRIs in treating OCD

Low levels of serotonins associated with OCD& depression

• SSRIs increase serotonin by preventing reuptake in presynaptic neurone.

• Results in more serotonin received by the postsynaptic neuron (more in synapse)- reduces OCD symptoms

Alternative antidepressant- Tricyclics

If after 3-4months SSRIs aren’t effective, can use other drugs.

• TCYS block transporter mechanism that re-absorbs serotonin and noradrenaline.

• So more of these NTs left in synapse, prolonging their activity

• Target more than one NTs but have greater side effects so used as treatment if SSRIs weren’t effective.

Alternative antidepressant- SNRIs (serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors)

• Increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline

• Used when patients don’t respond to SSRIs