Outline and evaluate biological approach to treating OCD.
1. Drug treatments are effective.
A01: SERT gene – low levels of serotonin. SSRI's - block the reuptake of serotonin into
postsynaptic neuron
A03: Support from Soomro (2008) – conducted a meta-analysis and found out that SSRI's are
more effective than placebo. Furthermore, drugs are faster and do not require a professional
therapist. However, side effects (nausea, insomnia, could be hallucination)
Therefore, even though an effective treatment, side effects could discourage people to
continue the treatment.
2. Symptoms not cause.
A01: tackle symptoms, for example tricyclics block the neurotransmitter mechanism
responsible for the reuptake of both serotonin and noradrenalin.
A03: If not discover and tackle the roots of OCD could relapse. Maina et all (2001) suggested
that a patient often relapse within a few weeks once the medication has stopped. Babyak
(2000) - relapse rates of depression lower with behavioural activation techniques than with
drug treatments.
Weakness of drug treatments as suggests that drugs alone cannot solve OCD in an individual
as their effect is short term.
3. Publication bias.
A03: Academic journals have a strong interest in publishing positive results because that is
what public prefers to read. Turner (2008) - evidence of publication bias towards studies that
show a positive outcome of antidepressants. Drug trials often are funded by private
pharmaceutical companies that want to produce positive results.
Therefore, in reality drug treatments may not be as effective as academic journals present.
4. Alternative treatments
A01: Two – process model (psychological explanation). Classical Conditioning: associate a
“potential worry” (NS) with negative thoughts (UCS) which leads to anxiety (UCR). Operant
conditioning: the compulsive behaviour reinforces because it temporarily removes anxiety.
A03: Exposure and prevention therapy: exposed to an environmental trigger and at the same
time are prevented from performing their compulsive behaviour. High success rates - 60-90%
of adults with OCD have improved.
The presence of other successful treatments and theories undermines using the biological
approach to treat OCD.
1. Drug treatments are effective.
A01: SERT gene – low levels of serotonin. SSRI's - block the reuptake of serotonin into
postsynaptic neuron
A03: Support from Soomro (2008) – conducted a meta-analysis and found out that SSRI's are
more effective than placebo. Furthermore, drugs are faster and do not require a professional
therapist. However, side effects (nausea, insomnia, could be hallucination)
Therefore, even though an effective treatment, side effects could discourage people to
continue the treatment.
2. Symptoms not cause.
A01: tackle symptoms, for example tricyclics block the neurotransmitter mechanism
responsible for the reuptake of both serotonin and noradrenalin.
A03: If not discover and tackle the roots of OCD could relapse. Maina et all (2001) suggested
that a patient often relapse within a few weeks once the medication has stopped. Babyak
(2000) - relapse rates of depression lower with behavioural activation techniques than with
drug treatments.
Weakness of drug treatments as suggests that drugs alone cannot solve OCD in an individual
as their effect is short term.
3. Publication bias.
A03: Academic journals have a strong interest in publishing positive results because that is
what public prefers to read. Turner (2008) - evidence of publication bias towards studies that
show a positive outcome of antidepressants. Drug trials often are funded by private
pharmaceutical companies that want to produce positive results.
Therefore, in reality drug treatments may not be as effective as academic journals present.
4. Alternative treatments
A01: Two – process model (psychological explanation). Classical Conditioning: associate a
“potential worry” (NS) with negative thoughts (UCS) which leads to anxiety (UCR). Operant
conditioning: the compulsive behaviour reinforces because it temporarily removes anxiety.
A03: Exposure and prevention therapy: exposed to an environmental trigger and at the same
time are prevented from performing their compulsive behaviour. High success rates - 60-90%
of adults with OCD have improved.
The presence of other successful treatments and theories undermines using the biological
approach to treat OCD.
