biological approach to treating OCD

Question 1

aim of drug therapy

Answer 1

Drug therapy for mental disorders aims to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or to increase/decrease their activity.

Question 2

what neurotransmitter is associated with ocd

Answer 2

• Low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD
• Therefore, drugs work to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain

Question 3

SSRI

Answer 3

• antidepressants which prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain
• Designed to block the reuptake of serotonin, therefore, increasing the levels of serotonin in the synapse
• serotonin continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron.
• This compensates for whatever is wrong with the serotonin system in OCD and decreases symptoms

Question 4

fluoxetine (ssri)

Answer 4

• Typical dose = 20mg
• It takes 3-4 months of daily use for SSRIs to impact symptoms
  -This can be increased if it is appropriate

Question 5

combining SSRIs with CBT

Answer 5

• Drugs are often used alongside CBT to treat OCD
• The drugs reduce a patient’s emotional symptoms, such as feeling anxious or depressed.
• This means that patients can engage more effectively in CBT.

Question 6

Alternatives to SSRIs

Answer 6

Tricyclics
- Tricyclics are sometimes used, such as Clomipramine
- These have the same effect on serotonin system as SSRIs, but the side-effects can be more severe
SNRIs
- SNRIs have been used to treat OCD in the last 5 years
- SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as noradrenaline
→ Tricyclics and SNRIs are a second line of defence for patients who don’t respond to SSRIs