Biological Treatments for OCD - Drugs

Question 1

What is drug therapy (biological approach)?

Answer 1

• Using medication to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters or the activity of the neurotransmitters in the brain
• Purpose is to decrease anxiety, lower arousal, lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate

Question 2

What are Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors?

Answer 2

An anti-depressant drug (e.g Prozac and Fluoxetine) which works on the serotonin system in the brain

Question 3

How do SSRI’s work

Answer 3

1. Serotonin released by presynaptic neurons
2. The serotonin travels across the synaptic cleft
3. The signal from the presynaptic neuron is chemically conveyed to the postsynaptic neuron
4. It is then reabsorbed (re-uptake) by the presynaptic neuron
5. Serotonin broken down and reused

Question 4

How do SSRIs treat OCD?

Answer 4

The SSRI’s prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin
- This increases the level of serotonin in the synapse
- Continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron
- This reduces anxiety

Question 5

Strengths of SSRI’s?

Answer 5

70% of patients have experiences a decline in OCD symptoms taking SSRI’s.

Soomro (2009) - reviewed 17 studies that compares SSRI’s to placebo drugs for treating OCD, found that in 17 studies SSRI drugs were more effective than placebos, especially when SSRI’s were combined with CBT

Question 6

Weaknesses of SSRI’s?

Answer 6

SSRI’s may have severe side effects which mean the OCD patient might stop taking the medication, temporary but include indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive

Question 7

What are Benzodiazepines?

Answer 7

Anti-anxiety drugs (e.g Valium and Diazepam) to treat OCD by slowing down the activity of the Central Nervous System

Question 8

How do Benzodiazepines work?

Answer 8

• Enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA
• This neurotransmitter has an inhibitory effect on neurons

Question 9

How does the neurotransmitter GABA work?

Answer 9

1. GABA reacts with special sites called GABA receptors on the outside of neurons
2. GABA locks into these receptors and opens a channel to increase the flow of chloride ions into the neuron
3. Chloride ions make it harder for the neuron to be stimulated by neurotransmitters
4. This slows down neural activity and makes a person more relaxed

Question 10

Strengths of Benzodiazepines?

Answer 10

• BZ drugs can begin to reduce anxiety and OCD symptoms quickly compared to CBT, the patient experiences immediate relief

Question 11

Weaknesses of Benzodiazepines?

Answer 11

Long term of BZ drugs if used long-term can cause several unwanted side effects can begin to appear, e.g drowsiness, depression and unpredictable interactions with alcohol

Ashton (1977) found that long term users can become dependant and a withdrawal would see high anxiety levels and OCD symptoms.