Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Researchers Have Research Paper

Total Length: 1400 words ( 5 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 7

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OCD is in many ways a homogeneous disorder. The disorder has a prevalence of around 2% to 3% of the population, and this prevalence is likely underestimated in many different countries / and descriptions of obsessions and compulsions have been remarkably consistent over time and place. Neurobiological studies have consistently found evidence that cortical-striatal-thalamic-cortical (CTSC) circuits play a crucial role in mediating the disorder and treatment research has invariably demonstrated that serotonin reuptake inhibitors selectively reduce the symptoms of OCD (Stein, Andersen, & Overo 2007; O'Connor, Todorov, Robillard, Borgeat, & Brault 1999).

The most common treatments for OCD are pharmacological and cognitive behavioral interventions. According to the American Psychiatric Association treatment practice guidelines for OCD, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered first-line treatments for OCD. However, SSRIs are often associated with delayed onset of therapeutic effect (8 -- 12 weeks), only partial symptom reduction, and response failure or intolerability in 40% to 60% of patients. Pharmacological options for SSRI refractory cases include increasing drug dose, changing to another SSRI or clomipramine, combining SSRIs, or changing the mode of drug delivery. Augmentation with second-generation antipsychotics has demonstrated efficacy as a second-line treatment (Berlin, Hamilton & Hollander, 2008).Obsessive-compulsive disorder shows a slow, gradual improvement, which starts within a few days after the initiation of treatment and continues for months thereafter. Published consensus guidelines consider an adequate SRI trial in OCD to consist of 10 -- 12 weeks with at least 4 -- 6 at the maximum tolerated dose (Dell'Osso, Altamura, Mundo, Marazziti, & Hollander, 2007).

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The addition of typical and atypical antipsychotics in patients with OCD resistant to SRIs has been reported as a useful augmentation strategy. Although antipsychotic mono-therapy has been associated with ineffectiveness and even increase of psychotic symptoms (especially in psychotic patients), antipsychotics as concomitant medications have proven to be effective in several case series and pilot clinical trials. The objective of this case series was to evaluate effectiveness of risperidone as add on therapy to current SRIs treatment in OCD refractory to treatment patients. Results indicated that Risperidone as add on therapy to SRI in moderate-severe, refractory to treatment OCD patients, may be an effective and safe strategy (Arias- Horcajadas, Soto, Garcia-Cantalapiedra, Rodriguez, Morales & Salgado 2006).

It is evident through this compilation of data that amongst the most effective treatments include SRIs, this does not go without noting that it too has been noted in the readings that there are patients that SRIs do not show to be an effective method. In these instances cases support the use of various antipsychotics mentioned in this essay. One thing is certain there are many facets to this disorder that still are not completely clear and understood. Though there are effective methods researchers indicated that there are more people that go undiagnosed and untreated......

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"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Researchers Have", 29 September 2010, Accessed.16 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-researchers-8159