Treating OCD

Question 1

What are SSRI’s and how do they work?

Answer 1

• Serotonin is released by the presynaptic neurons and travels across a synapse. The neurotransmitter chemically conveys the signal from pre to post synaptic neuron and then it is reabsorbed by presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and used.
• SSRI’s prevent reabsorption to increase levels of serotonin and so continues to stimulate post synaptic neuron

Question 2

What is often used alongside SSRI’s?

Answer 2

• drugs often make people with OCD less anxious and so they engage better with CBT

Question 3

What are the alternatives to SSRI’s?

Answer 3

Tricyclics:
- an older type of antidepressant e.g clomipramine, has more severe side effect
SNRI’s:
- Increases serotonin and noradrenaline

Question 4

What is one limitation of SSRI’S?

Answer 4

• drugs can have severe side-effects e.g blurred vision, loss of sex drive, indigestion. For clomipramine 1/10 erection problems and weight gain and 1/100 become aggressive and experience heart problems

Question 5

What is a strength of SSRI’s against therapy?

Answer 5

• non-disruptive and cost-effective. Good for the NHS and people who do not have time for intensive therapies

Question 6

What is a strength on SSRI’s?

Answer 6

• Soomro did a meta analysis of 17 studies testing placebos against SSRI’s, typically symptoms reduced 70% in those taking SSRI’s, showing their effectiveness for majority of people with OCD