19. The Biological Approach To Treating OCD AO3

Question 1

Name a two strengths of drug therapies

Answer 1

1. They’re cheap compared to psychological treatments - cost effective for NHS
2. Non-disruptive compared to psychological therapies

Question 2

Explain why drug therapies are non-disruptive compared to psychological therapies

Answer 2

SSRI’s are non-disruptive to patients lives - can simply take drugs till symptoms decline - not engage in any hard work like psychological therapies

Question 3

Name a limitation of drug therapies

Answer 3

Drugs can have side-effects

Question 4

Explain the drug therapy side effects

Answer 4

Drugs such as SSRI’s help most people - small minority will not benefit - some patients suffer from indigestion, blurred vision etc - side effects usually temporary

Question 5

Why can side effects cause issues for drug therapies

Answer 5

These factors reduce effectiveness - people stop taking the medication

Question 6

Name a third strengths of drug therapies

Answer 6

• effective at tackling OCD

Question 7

When are drug therapies most effective

Answer 7

When SSRI’s are combined with a psychological treatment - usually CBT

Question 8

How helpful have drug therapies proved to be in treating OCD

Answer 8

Typically symptoms reduce for around 70% of patients - the rest helped by alternative drugs or CBT+drugs - drugs can help most people with OCD