Lesson 13: The biological approach to treating OCD (DRUG THERAPY) Flashcards
What does ‘SSRI’ stand for?
Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors
Serotonin levels associated with OCD and Depression
Low serotonin levels
What is the aim of SSRI drugs?
To prevent the re-uptake of serotonin and prolong its activity in the synapse
What do SSRI drugs do?
SSRI drugs make a person feel less anxious AND they will have a higher level of serotonin available
Low levels of serotonin are involved in…
The “worry circuit” by which damage to the “caudate nucleus” in the brain fails to
suppress minor worry signals. A message is then sent to the “orbital frontal cortex” and the worrying / anxiety gets worse
Increasing serotonin…
Reduces the ‘worry curcuit’
How does high levels of serotonin cause and increase in mood?
It becomes readily available in receptor cells
How does high levels of serotonin (provided by SSRI drugs) help the ‘orbital frontal cortex’ function at normal levels?
The ‘orbital frontal cortex’ has extensive connections with sensory areas and the limbic system, which is involved in emotion and memory. SSRI drugs will help stabilise moods and emotions and improve memory (therefore reducing compulsive behaviour and checking)
How long are SSRI drugs prescribed for?
12-16 weeks
What does SNRI stand for?
Selective Norepinephrine Re-uptake Inhibitors
What do SNRI drugs do?
They increase serotonin AND norepinephrine
How are SNRI drugs different from SSRI drugs?
SNRI drugs are suitable for OCD patients who cannot tolerate SSRI drugs
What is norepinephrine / noradrenaline?
It is a neurotransmitter released from the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress
What is the aim of norepinephrine/ noradrenaline?
It aims to mobilise the brain and body for action
What is advantage 1 of SSRI drugs?
There is supporting evidence that SSRIs are an effective treatment for OCD.
“Soomro (2009)” reviewed 17 studies that compared SSRIs to placebo drugs for treating OCD and found that all 17 studies showed that SSRI drugs were more effective than placebos, especially when COMBINED with CBT.
