Drug Treatments For OCD Flashcards
What are SSRI drugs?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
SSRIs increase serotonin levels at the synapse by blocking its reuptake.
What effect do SSRIs have on serotonin?
They increase serotonin levels at the synapse by blocking its reuptake
This leads to improved mood and emotion regulation.
How do SSRIs affect anxiety and compulsions?
They improve emotion regulation and reduce anxiety, thus reducing the need to complete compulsions
This is due to the increased presence of serotonin in the synapse.
What is the role of GABA in neurotransmission?
GABA binds to receptor cells to block the binding of certain neurotransmitters
This action helps slow down signals in the nervous system.
What is the primary function of GABA?
To inhibit neurotransmitter activity
GABA helps reduce anxiety by slowing down neural signals.
Fill in the blank: SSRIs help to _______ serotonin levels at the synapse.
increase
True or False: SSRIs decrease serotonin levels in the synapse.
False
What neurotransmitter is primarily involved in mood regulation?
Serotonin
Increased serotonin levels are associated with improved mood.
What is the effect of GABA on the nervous system?
It reduces anxiety by inhibiting certain signals
GABA is crucial for calming the nervous system.
What happens to serotonin when SSRIs are administered?
Serotonin remains in the synapse, leading to increased levels
This is because SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin.
What is the primary method used to evaluate the effectiveness of drug treatments for OCD?
Randomised control trial
This method compares the effectiveness of the drug versus a placebo.
What did Soomro et al. (2008) find regarding the effectiveness of SSRIs for OCD?
SSRIs were more effective than placebos in reducing OCD symptoms up to three months after treatment
This was based on a review of 17 studies.
What is a limitation of the studies evaluating drug treatments for OCD mentioned by Koran et al. (2007)?
Most studies only have a duration of three to four months
This results in a lack of long-term data.
What percentage reduction in OCD symptoms do drug treatments potentially achieve in the short term?
40-60%
This indicates the effectiveness of medication in treating OCD symptoms.
What is one of the main appeals of using drug therapy for OCD?
Requires little effort and time from the user
Compared to therapies like CBT which require regular meetings.
How do drug therapies compare in cost to psychological treatments for OCD?
Drug therapies are cheaper and require less monitoring
This makes them more appealing to healthcare providers.
What is the ‘Dodo Bird effect’ in the context of drug therapy?
The idea that simply talking with a doctor may help
This effect suggests that therapeutic interactions can provide benefits.
Fill in the blank: Drug treatments for OCD are more effective because they are _______ and _______.
cheap and easy
This reduces the need for expensive long-term therapy.
What is a criticism of drug therapies for OCD regarding patient compliance?
High relapse rates if patients forget or stop taking the drugs
This can lead to severe intrusive thoughts and potential suicide.
What are common side effects of SSRIs?
Nausea, headache, insomnia
SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors commonly prescribed for OCD.
Why are tricyclic antidepressants used only when SSRIs are ineffective?
They tend to have more severe side effects
Examples of side effects include hallucinations and irregular heartbeat.
What are potential side effects of benzodiazepines (BZs)?
Increased aggressiveness, long-term memory impairment, addiction
BZs are often prescribed for anxiety but have significant risks.
What is the recommended duration for using benzodiazepines?
A maximum of four weeks
This recommendation aims to mitigate the risk of addiction.
What is a weakness of drug treatments for OCD?
Negative side effects of SSRIs and BZs
These side effects can lead patients to stop taking the medication.
What is a criticism of drug treatments for OCD despite their effectiveness?
They do not provide a lasting cure
Patients often relapse within weeks if medications are stopped.
What alternative treatment is suggested to be more effective than drug therapy for OCD?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps patients learn coping strategies for their symptoms.
How does CBT help OCD patients?
Gradually introduces patients to triggering objects/situations
This technique is similar to systematic desensitization.
What is a strength of CBT compared to drug treatments?
It provides long-term coping mechanisms
Unlike drugs, which can only prevent symptoms short-term.
What is a criticism of CBT as a treatment for OCD?
More expensive and time-consuming than drugs
This can decrease patient commitment to therapy.
True or False: SSRIs are the only effective treatment for OCD.
False
Other treatments like CBT are also effective.
