Discuss drug therapy as a biological treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Updated: 7 days ago
Discuss drug therapy as a biological treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Refer to SSRIs and at least one alternative drug treatment in your answer.
[16 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
The command word “discuss” requires students to explain how drug therapy is used to reduce symptoms of OCD and then evaluate its appropriateness and effectiveness. Because the question specifically names SSRIs and at least one alternative drug treatment, students need a clear explanation of SSRIs and should identify and explain an alternative such as a tricyclic, SNRI or benzodiazepine.
The current specification requires drug therapy as the biological treatment for OCD and also states that therapies and treatments should be evaluated in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness.
Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10
The June 2025 examination included a 16-mark question combining the neural explanation of OCD with drug therapy and allocated AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 10. The same allocation is appropriate for this drug-therapy-focused extended response.
Level | Marks | Description |
4 | 13–16 | Knowledge of drug therapy for OCD is accurate and generally well detailed. SSRIs and at least one alternative drug treatment are clearly explained. Discussion of effectiveness and appropriateness is thorough and effective. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology. |
3 | 9–12 | Knowledge of drug therapy is evident but there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. SSRIs and an alternative treatment are addressed. Discussion is mostly effective and relevant issues are developed appropriately, although some points may lack detail. |
2 | 5–8 | Limited knowledge of drug therapy is present. The response is mainly descriptive. SSRIs and/or the alternative treatment may be insufficiently explained. Discussion is of limited effectiveness. |
1 | 1–4 | Knowledge of drug therapy is very limited or muddled. There may be confusion between biological explanations and biological treatments of OCD. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. |
0 | 0 | No relevant content. |
Indicative content
AO1: Biological drug therapy
Credit relevant knowledge such as:
Drug therapy attempts to alter neurochemical activity associated with OCD.
The main treatment discussed is usually a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
SSRIs act on the serotonin system.
Drug treatment aims to reduce symptoms such as:
obsessive thoughts
anxiety associated with obsessions
compulsive behaviour.
Drugs are generally taken regularly rather than only when an obsession occurs.
Alternatives to SSRIs include:
tricyclics
SNRIs
benzodiazepines
beta-blockers.
The June 2025 mark scheme explicitly identifies SSRIs, tricyclics, SNRIs, benzodiazepines and beta-blockers as relevant drug treatments.
SSRIs
How SSRIs work
SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Credit relevant explanation such as:
Serotonin is released into the synapse from the presynaptic neuron.
It crosses the synaptic gap and can stimulate receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.
Normally, some serotonin is reabsorbed or taken back up into the presynaptic neuron.
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