Psychopathology - treating OCD Flashcards
What do drug therapies aim to do?
Increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or increase/decrease their activity
What do SSRI’s stand for?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
What do SSRI’s work on?
The serotonin system in the brain
What is serotonin released by?
Presynaptic neurons and travel across a synapse
What do the transmitters chemically convey?
The signal from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron and then it is reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and reused
What do SSRI’s do to to prevent reabsorption and breakdown?
Increase levels of serotonin in the synapse and thus continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron
What are the 2 other types of SSRI’s?
Tricyclics and SNRI’s
What do tricyclics do?
Acts on various systems incuding the serotonin system where it has the same effects as SSRI’s
Why are tricyclics not used as much?
More severe side effects
What do SNRI’s stand for?
Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors
What is one strength of treating OCD?
Evidence of effectiveness
What is the evaluation of treating OCD having evidence of effectiveness?
P: Good evidence for its effectiveness
E: Soomro (2009)- reviewed 17 studies that compared SSRI’s to placebos
E: Symptoms reduce for around 70% of people taking SSRI’s
L: Drugs are helpful
What is one limitation of treating OCD?
Serious side effects
What is the evaluation of treating OCD having serious side effects?
P: Serious side effects
E: Indigestion, blurred vision, loss of sex drive
E: for tricyclics, 1 in 10 people experience weight gain
L: Cease to be effective
What is another strength of treating OCD?
Cost effective and non-disruptive
