The biological approach to treating OCD Flashcards
What is the biological approach to treating OCD
Drug therapy
What is the aim of drug therapy
To increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or to increase or lower their activity
What is SSRI
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
What is the most common medical treatment to tackle symptoms of OCD
SSRI
What does SSRI prevent
Prevents reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain
What does preventing the reabsorption of serotonin do to the post synaptic neuron.
Increases the levels of serotonin so continuous stimulation to the post synaptic neuron
What can SSRIs also be known as
Fluoxetine
What is the typical dosage of Fluoxetine
20mg but can be increased if not benefiting
How long can it take for SSRI to impact the symptoms
3-4 months of daily use
What can you combine SSRI with
CBT
What happens if you combine SSRI with CBT
Drug reduces a patients emotional symptoms
Patients can engage more effectively with CBT
What is an alternative to SSRIs
Tricyclics
Benzodiazepines
SNRIs
What is the effect of tricyclics
They block the transporter mechanism that re absorbs both serotonin and noradrenaline into the presynaptic cell after it has fired
What are SNRIs
Serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
What does SNRI increase levels of
Serotonin
Noradrenaline
