Biological approach to treating OCD Flashcards
Drug therapy: SSRI’s
Increase levels of serotonin. reduce anxiety.
Minor side effects
Drug therapy: Tricyclics
Used for OCD. Block the transporter mechanism that re-absorbs both serotonin and noradrenaline into the pre-synaptic cell. They can target more than one neurotransmitter but have greater side effects
Anti-Anxiety drugs
BZs are used to reduce anxiety. They enhance the activity of GABA - slowing down the central nervous system.
A03: Effectiveness
Effective in short term but not in the long term. More effective than placebos
A03: Preferred to other treatments
Cheap, quick, little effort
A03: Side effects
SSRI aren’t bad.
Tricyclic are usually bad
BZs can increase aggressiveness and long term impairment of memory
Also addiction could occur
A03: Not a lasting cure
Maina - patients relapse after a few weeks if meds are stopped