Introduction

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that individuals feel compelled to perform to alleviate anxiety or distress. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These symptoms can significantly impact everyday life, affecting relationships, work, and overall well-being.

This study seeks to investigate the impact of biomedical treatment (specifically SSRIs) on individuals diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This research is crucial as it aims to provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of a widely used intervention for OCD, thereby contributing to the understanding and treatment of this disorder.

Methodology

Research Design

The study will employ an experimental design to investigate the effectiveness of SSRIs in reducing OCD symptoms. This design is chosen because it allows for the manipulation of the independent variable (SSRI administration) and measurement of the dependent variable (reduction in OCD symptoms) while controlling for extraneous variables through random assignment and a control group. This approach enables a causal inference about the impact of SSRIs on OCD symptoms.

Participants

The sampling frame will consist of adults diagnosed with OCD undergoing SSRI treatment. A random sampling technique will be used to recruit participants from a pool of individuals meeting the inclusion criteria. This ensures that the sample is representative of the broader population of individuals with OCD undergoing SSRI treatment, enhancing the generalizability of the findings. Ethical approval and informed consent will be obtained from all participants before their involvement in the study.

Procedure

This study will utilize a pre-test/post-test with control group design. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group (receiving SSRIs) and the control group (receiving a placebo). The independent variable is the administration of SSRIs, while the dependent variable is the reduction in OCD symptoms. Prior to the intervention, both groups will complete a pre-test assessment of OCD symptoms. Both groups will be blinded to their treatment allocation. The experimental group will receive a prescribed dose of SSRIs for a specified duration, while the control group will receive a placebo pill identical in appearance to the SSRIs. After the treatment period, both groups will undergo a post-test assessment of OCD symptoms using the same measures as the pre-test. The placebo group will then be offered treatment with SSRIs.

The following standardized assessments will be used to measure OCD symptoms:

• Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS): A widely used, validated instrument that assesses the severity of OCD symptoms through a structured interview. (Goodman, 1989)
• Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI): A self-report questionnaire that measures the severity of anxiety symptoms, including those associated with OCD. (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1997)

Data Collection

Data will be collected using the following methods:

• Structured Observations: Two independent observers will conduct structured observations of participants' behavior in a controlled environment (clinical practice) during the pre-test and post-test assessments. The observers will be trained to use a pre-defined set of response categories to assess the severity of OCD symptoms, ensuring inter-rater reliability. These categories will include the frequency, duration, and intensity of obsessions and compulsions. The observers will be blind to the participants' treatment allocation.
• Structured Questionnaires: Participants will complete structured questionnaires during clinical interviews using a Likert Scale (1-10) to assess the frequency of obsessive thoughts and the disruptiveness of compulsive behaviors. The questionnaires will be adapted from validated instruments, such as the Y-BOCS and the BAI.

Data Analysis

Quantitative data collected from the standardized assessments will be analyzed using statistical software like SPSS. Descriptive statistics (e.g., means, standard deviations) will be used to summarize the data. Inferential statistics (e.g., t-tests) will be conducted to compare the mean scores of the treatment and control groups on the pre-test and post-test assessments of OCD symptoms. A p-value of less than 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations are paramount throughout this study. All procedures will be approved by an ethical review board to ensure the safety, well-being, and confidentiality of participants. Informed consent will be obtained from participants before their involvement in the study. Participants will be fully informed about the nature of the study, the potential risks and benefits, and their right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. Confidentiality will be maintained through the use of coded data and secure storage of all participant information.

Reliability and Validity

To ensure the reliability and validity of the findings, several strategies will be implemented. Inter-rater reliability for the structured observations will be assessed using Cohen's Kappa. The use of standardized and validated assessments for OCD symptoms, such as the Y-BOCS and the BAI, will ensure construct validity.

Conclusion

This study will utilize a pre-test/post-test with control group design to investigate the impact of SSRIs on OCD symptoms. Random sampling will be used to recruit participants from a pool of individuals diagnosed with OCD undergoing SSRI treatment. Data will be collected using structured observations and standardized questionnaires, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical considerations and measures to enhance the reliability and validity of the findings will be implemented throughout the study. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SSRIs in treating OCD.

**References:** American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing. Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1997). Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The Psychological Corporation. Goodman, W. K. (1989). The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 50(Suppl. 4), 5-10.