Biological treatments for OCD Flashcards
TRUE or FALSE: does the biological use drug therapy
TRUE
How long do main treatments for OCD last
3 to 4 months
what are the 4 main treatments for OCD
antidepressants: SSRIs
antidepressants: tricyclics
anti-anxiety drugs
Other drugs
what do SSRIs block
the reuptake of serotonin at the synpase
Where does serotonin become concentrated
in the synaptic cleft
SSRI: what does the reuptake of serotonin do
it creates better connectivity between the neuron’s
SSRI: what does it mean to have greater connectivity between neurons
greater chance of completed thought process, limiting the amount of obsessive thoughts
SSRI: what does it mean to have less obsessive thoughts for someone with OCD
less compulsions performed, therefore reducing OCD behaviour
Name the anti anxiety drug
BENZODIZEPINES
what do benzodiazepines do to reduce anxiety
slow down neurotransmission, by enhancing GABA activity
anti-anxiety drugs: What is GABA and what does it do
a neurotransmitter which slows the effect of neurones in the brain
what does GABA lock onto
receptor cites
increasing the flow of chloride ions into the neurone
making it harder for the neurone to be stimulated
anti-anxiety drugs: does benzodiazepines INCREASE or DECREASE GABA levels
INCREASE
what is a strength of biological treatments of OCD
-drug therapies are a cheaper option, as they’re mass produced compared to therapies which can cost up to £60 for 10 sessions, meaning drugs are easier to administer and are economically accessible for the patient in conclusion they’re easier for the patient to engage with due to their simplicity
what are negatives of biological treatments for OCD
-drugs can have side effects such as weight gain that cause patients to stop taking the drugs, or cause further complications which leads to the return of the disorder
-drugs are palliative, as they only treat the symptoms unlike psychological therapy. when people stop taking the drugs, they have a high chance of relapse
