Biological Treatments of Phobias

Anti-Anxiety Drugs

• BZs slow down the activity of the central nervous system by enhancing the activity of GABA.
• GABA is a neurotransmitter, that, when released, has a general quietening effect on many of the neurons in the brain.

• BBs (Beta-Blockers) reduce the activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are part of the sympathomedullary response to stress.
• They bind to receptors on cells of the heart and other parts of the body to reduce the effect of these hormones.

Anti-Depressants

• SSRIs are currently the preferred drug for treating anxiety disorders.
• Increases levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Positives/Negatives

+ve: It is proved they work.
+ve: Readily available on the NHS.

-ve: Building up a tolerance so you need more.
-ve: Side effects. People have become suicidal.
-ve: Not treating the underlying cause; just the symptoms.
-ve: Dependence; the patients don't try to help themselves.
-ve: Addiction (linked to tolerance).

Research Support/Criticism for Anti-Anxiety Drugs

• Kahn found that BZs were more effective than a placebo at treating anxiety.
• Hidalgo found that BZs were more effective than anti-depressants.
• Liebowitz found BBs were more effective in treating anxiety however other research has shown that placebos are just as effective in reducing physiological effects of anxiety.

Research Support for Anti-Depressants

• Katzelnick found that SSRIs are more powerful than a placebo at reducing anxiety. 

It is believed that part of the brain is malfunctioning. If a connection to this part of the brain is severed, then psychological symptoms may be relieved.

Capsulotomy and Cingulotomy

• Removal of connection to the capsule or cingulum.
• These parts of the brain are associated with emotion - they are part of the limbic system.
• Operations are irreversible; only performed as a last resort.

Deep Brain Simulation

• Involves placing wires in target areas in the brain.
• Wires are connected to a battery in the patient's chest.
• When current is on, this interrupts the target circuits in the brain.

Research Support

Ruck studied 26 patients who had undertaken capsulotomy, due to persistent anxiety.

• The patients had suffered for over five years prior to surgery, experiencing a significant decrease in psychosocial functioning.
• Other treatments had been exhausted.
• The mean pre-operative anxiety score was 22.
• The mean post-operative anxiety score was 4.6.
• Suggests treatment was successful.

However, 7 of the patients had attempted suicide following surgery, 2 having suffered from epileptic fits.

-ve Szasz criticises psychosurgery because he claims the psyche is not something physical that can be operated on.