biological approach to treating ocd

Question 1

Drug therapy

Answer 1

• used for mental disorders and aims to increase or decrease levels or neurotransmitters in the brain OR increase/decrease their activity
• ocd drugs work in various ways to increase the level of serotonin in the brain

Question 2

Anti-depressants/SSRIs

Answer 2

• standard type of OCD drug that works on the serotonin system in the brain
• reduce anxiety
• serotonin is released by certain neurons in the brain, released by pre-synaptic neurons then travels across a synapse
• serotonin then chemically conveys the signal from the presynaptic neuron to the post-sn and then is reabsorbed by the pre-sn where it is broken down and re-sed

Question 3

Strength

Answer 3

• cost effective + non-disturpitve

Question 4

Limitations

Answer 4

• side effects: headaches, nausea, insomnia