Describe and evaluate the biological
approach to the treatment of OCD. [16
Marks]
The biological treatment of OCD (drug therapy)
aims to increase or decrease levels of
neurotransmitters in the brain (e.g. serotonin) in
order to reach a change in the activity or
behaviour levels of an individual. OCD is
associated with low levels of serotonin, therefore
drug treatments work in various ways to increase
those levels of serotonin in the brain.
A commonly used antidepressant is Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, commonly known
as SSRI. SSRIs treat OCD, and depression, by
increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain and
blocking the re-absorption (reuptake) of
serotonin into neurones. For instance, a
commonly used dosage of Paroxetine (SSRI)
would be 20mg taken per day, however if not
effective after a few months of use, the dosage
can be increased to a maximum of 50mg per
day.
Typically, SSRIs are commonly combined with
other treatments in order for the best possible
outcomes for patients. To give an illustration,
drugs are often used alongside cognitive
behaviour therapy (CBT) in order to treat OCD.
The use of drugs allows the patient to experience
a redundancy of emotional symptoms – feeling
anxious or depressed. That is to say that the
approach to the treatment of OCD. [16
Marks]
The biological treatment of OCD (drug therapy)
aims to increase or decrease levels of
neurotransmitters in the brain (e.g. serotonin) in
order to reach a change in the activity or
behaviour levels of an individual. OCD is
associated with low levels of serotonin, therefore
drug treatments work in various ways to increase
those levels of serotonin in the brain.
A commonly used antidepressant is Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, commonly known
as SSRI. SSRIs treat OCD, and depression, by
increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain and
blocking the re-absorption (reuptake) of
serotonin into neurones. For instance, a
commonly used dosage of Paroxetine (SSRI)
would be 20mg taken per day, however if not
effective after a few months of use, the dosage
can be increased to a maximum of 50mg per
day.
Typically, SSRIs are commonly combined with
other treatments in order for the best possible
outcomes for patients. To give an illustration,
drugs are often used alongside cognitive
behaviour therapy (CBT) in order to treat OCD.
The use of drugs allows the patient to experience
a redundancy of emotional symptoms – feeling
anxious or depressed. That is to say that the
