L13 - Biological Approach to Treat OCD Flashcards
2 types of drugs to treat OCD?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Benzodiazepines (BZs)
How is serotonin released in the brain?
By pre-synapse releases it into synaptic cleft
Taken up by post-synapse and broken down
What do SSRIs to do reduce reuptake?
Prevent reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin
Effect of SSRIs?
Increase levels of serotonin in the synapse
Still stimulates post-synapse
SSRIs work because
Low serotonin levels are associated with OCD and SSRIs increase them
+ of SSRIs related to placebo study
17 studies
SSRIs v placebos
SSRIs more effective in all esp when combined with CBT
- of SSRIs related to side effects
Bad side effects such as indigestion and blurred vision
May be so bad have to stop taking them
OCD becomes untreated
- of SSRIs related to symptoms
Treats symptoms only
Not root cause
Keep going back for prescriptions
Role of BZs?
Enhance activity of GABA neurotransmitter
What does GABA do (BZ)?
Slows down CNS activity by calming the neurons
How does GABA slow down nervous activity?
GABA binds to receptors and increases chloride ions into neuron
Role of Cl ions (BZ)?
Makes it harder for neuron to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters, slowing down activity, and relaxing the person
+ of BZs related to time
Reduce anxiety and OCD symptoms quickly
Fast effect unlike w CBT
Immediate relief
- of BZs related to dependency and tolerance found by a study?
If used LT, users become dependent
Withdrawal leads to high anxiety levels returning
Body gets used to BZs so have to keep taking larger ones for symptoms to alleviate
+ of BZs related to cost?
Cheap to produce and administer
Unlike CBT which needs highly trained specialists which is expensive and needs many sessions
