The biological approach to treating OCD

Question 1

What does SSRI stand for

Answer 1

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Question 2

What do SSRI’s do

Answer 2

• work on the serotonin system in the brain

Question 3

What is serotonin released by

Answer 3

• released by the presynaptic neurons that travel across a synapse

Question 4

What does the neurotransmitter do

Answer 4

• chemically conveys the signal from the presynaptic neurons to the postsynaptic neuron before it is reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and reused

Question 5

By preventing the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin SSRI’s effectively increase its levels in the synapse and ___________________________

Answer 5

• continue to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron, this compensates for everything that is wrong in the serotonin system in OCD

Question 6

What is a typical daily dose of fluoxetine

Answer 6

• 20mg

Question 7

How long does it take for SSRI’s to have impact on the symptoms of OCD

Answer 7

• 3-4 months

Question 8

If SSRI’s are not effective after 3-4 months the dosage can be increased to ____ or can be combined with _____ _____

Answer 8

• 60mg

- other drugs

Question 9

What drugs can be combined

Answer 9

• Tricyclics

- SNRI’s

Question 10

What is a Tricyclics
What is a type of tricyclic
why is it not typically used unless necessary

Answer 10

• older type of ad
• eg clomipramine (type of tricyclic)
• has more sever side-effects so generally only used for patients who do not respond to SSRI’s

Question 11

What is an SNRI’s

What does it do

Answer 11

• serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors

- increases levels of serotonin as well as another different neurotransmitter (noradrenaline)

Question 12

What is a strength of drug therapy

Answer 12

• it is effective in tackling OCD symptoms
• Soomro et al reviewed 17 studies and concluded that al of em showed significantly better results for the SSRI’s than the placebo conditions
• symptoms decline for 70% of patients takings SSRI’s
• 30% for alternative drug treatments

Question 13

What is a weakness of drug therapy

Answer 13

• drugs have side-effects
• whilst it helps some ppl it doesnt help others, some even get side-effects of the drug which include indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive, these are usually temporary

Question 14

What are the side-effects for clomipromine

Answer 14

• however for those taking clomipramine side-effects are more serious and long lasting, they include, erection problems, tremors and weight gain, more than 1 in 100 become aggressive and suffer distribution to blood pressure and heart rhythm