Psychopathology - biological approach to treating OCD

Question 1

What does the biological approach use to treat OCD?

Answer 1

Drug therapy

Question 2

Give an example of a drug that is used to treat OCD

Answer 2

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are a particular type of drug used in treating OCD
• they are classed as antidepressants

Question 3

Give an example of an SSRI

Answer 3

e.g. of an SSRI is fluoxetine, which is also known by trade names such as Prozac

Question 4

What do SSRI’s do?

Answer 4

• SSRI increase the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the brain as low levels of serotonin are thought to cause OCD
• according to the biological approach

Question 5

How does an SSRI drug work?

Answer 5

• SSRI work by blocking the re-uptake of serotonin at the presynaptic membrane
• which increases serotonin concentration at receptor sites on the postsynaptic membrane
• this enables the serotonin to remain active at the synapse where it continues to stimulate the post-synaptic neuron

Question 6

How is a dosage determined?

Answer 6

• A dosage is determined by which SSRI is prescribed
• a typical fluoxetine daily dosage is 20mg which can be taken as either a liquid or capsules

Question 7

How long will a daily dosage (such as fluoxetine daily dosage) take until there’s noticeable impacts of symptoms?

Answer 7

• a daily dosage such as this will take 3-4 months before it has any noticeable impact on symptoms
• if there is no effect on symptoms after this period of time, then the dosage may be increased up to 60mg daily or combined with other drugs

Question 8

What are tricyclics?

Answer 8

• Tricyclics are an older type of antidepressants but have a similar effect as SSRI’s
• whereas SNRI’s also increase levels of noradrenaline