E3) Treatment and management of
obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
1)Biomedical treatment of OCD - ANSWER-SSRIs work on the neurotransmitter
serotonin alone
-SSRIs reduce the severity of obsessive compulsive symptoms as they seem to lessen
the anxiety associated with the disorder by inhibiting the reuptake of this into the
presynaptic neurone, increase the concentration of serotonin in the synapse
1)Supporting evidence (1) - ANSWER-Soomro et al. conducted a meta-analysis in
which he reviewed the results of 17 studies which compared the effectiveness of SSRIs
with placebos
-In all studies, totalling 3097 participants
-In all the studies the SSRI groups showed more reduction in symptoms of OCD
measured using the Y-BOCS between 6 and 13 weeks after treatment
1)Supporting evidence (2) - ANSWER-Pampaloni et al.
-SSRIs work in individuals with and without depression, though generally a higher
dosage of medication is given as it has been shown to be more effective
2)autism (or autistic spectrum disorder, ASD) - ANSWER-developmental disorders
characterised by difficulty in social, communicative and imaginative areas. They are
also associated with repetitive physical behaviours
-Approximately 2% of children with ASD are also diagnosed with OCD
-It can be difficult to distinguish ASD rituals and behaviour from compulsive behaviour
seen in OCD; however cleaning, checking and counting tend to be common in those
with OCD
2)ERP study - ANSWER-Lehmkuhl et al.
2)Explain CBT used to treat OCD - ANSWER--Works on the basis that faulty thoughts
are the cause of the disorder
-The hypervigilance can be challenged, and the faulty assumptions questioned as the
therapist helps the patient to identify these and then perform behaviours that test these
assumptions
-Homework will be provided to reflect on the work that they have covered within the
sessions, and to apply new thinking in practice
2)Explain exposure and response prevention (ERP) - ANSWER-it is a form of CBT
1)self-report on triggers for obsessions and compulsions, and level of fear that are
associated with stimuli helps therapist gather information about existing symptoms
2)client constructs a fear ladder, from the least fearful/anxiety provoking stimuli to the
most
3)individual is exposed to these stimuli ( either in vivo or in vitro)
obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
1)Biomedical treatment of OCD - ANSWER-SSRIs work on the neurotransmitter
serotonin alone
-SSRIs reduce the severity of obsessive compulsive symptoms as they seem to lessen
the anxiety associated with the disorder by inhibiting the reuptake of this into the
presynaptic neurone, increase the concentration of serotonin in the synapse
1)Supporting evidence (1) - ANSWER-Soomro et al. conducted a meta-analysis in
which he reviewed the results of 17 studies which compared the effectiveness of SSRIs
with placebos
-In all studies, totalling 3097 participants
-In all the studies the SSRI groups showed more reduction in symptoms of OCD
measured using the Y-BOCS between 6 and 13 weeks after treatment
1)Supporting evidence (2) - ANSWER-Pampaloni et al.
-SSRIs work in individuals with and without depression, though generally a higher
dosage of medication is given as it has been shown to be more effective
2)autism (or autistic spectrum disorder, ASD) - ANSWER-developmental disorders
characterised by difficulty in social, communicative and imaginative areas. They are
also associated with repetitive physical behaviours
-Approximately 2% of children with ASD are also diagnosed with OCD
-It can be difficult to distinguish ASD rituals and behaviour from compulsive behaviour
seen in OCD; however cleaning, checking and counting tend to be common in those
with OCD
2)ERP study - ANSWER-Lehmkuhl et al.
2)Explain CBT used to treat OCD - ANSWER--Works on the basis that faulty thoughts
are the cause of the disorder
-The hypervigilance can be challenged, and the faulty assumptions questioned as the
therapist helps the patient to identify these and then perform behaviours that test these
assumptions
-Homework will be provided to reflect on the work that they have covered within the
sessions, and to apply new thinking in practice
2)Explain exposure and response prevention (ERP) - ANSWER-it is a form of CBT
1)self-report on triggers for obsessions and compulsions, and level of fear that are
associated with stimuli helps therapist gather information about existing symptoms
2)client constructs a fear ladder, from the least fearful/anxiety provoking stimuli to the
most
3)individual is exposed to these stimuli ( either in vivo or in vitro)
