Treating OCD Flashcards
What is the most common treatment for OCD?
Drug therapy
What are the two main drug groups used?
- Anti-depressants
- Anti-anxiety drugs
What drugs are involved in OCD?
- SSRIs
- Tricyclics
- Benzodiazepines
- Beta blockers
What are SSRIs?
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors
What do SSRIs do?
A targeted drug that increases the amount of serotonin released, it is the most commonly used drug for OCD
How do SSRIs work?
Block serotonin re-uptake and thereby increase the amount of serotonin in the synapse
What are tricyclics?
A type of anti-depressant which are less commonly prescribed
How do tricyclics work?
At a synaptic level by blocking the re-uptake of neurotransmitters, however they increase the action of both serotonin and noradrenaline
What do benzodiazepines do?
Increase the amount of the neurotransmitter GABA, they block the re-uptake of GABA in the pre-synaptic neuron and therefore increase the levels of GABA in the synapse
What do benzodiazepines do when taken?
Make the patient feel calmer and less anxious, and their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours should then reduce
What do beta blockers do?
Reduce the activation of the cardiovascular system, they can reduce the over activation of the cardiovascular system which reduces anxiety
What are 3 evaluation points?
- Cheaper and quicker and require less effort from the patient
- Good for the economy
- Not long term
