Treating OCD (Biological App) - PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Question 1

which two neurotransmitter (NT) issues do biological explanations for OCD highlight

Answer 1

1. dopamine levels being too high

2. serotonin levels being too low

Question 2

how can drugs be used to manipulate NT levels

Answer 2

by interacting with features of the synaptic transmission process

Question 3

what are the neurotransmitters linked to serotonin

Answer 3

SSRIs

Question 4

what does SSRI stand for

Answer 4

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 5

what are the most commonly used drug for OCD (and depression)

Answer 5

SSRIs

Question 6

three examples of SSRI drug types

Answer 6

fluoxetine
sertraline
citalopram

Question 7

example of fluoxetine

Answer 7

prozac

Question 8

example of sertraline

Answer 8

zoloft

Question 9

example of citalopram

Answer 9

celexa

Question 10

how do SSRIs work

Answer 10

by blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapses, while allowing all other process to happen normally

Question 11

what does SSRIs blocking the reuptake of serotonin lead to

Answer 11

a ‘build up’ of serotonin in a synapse - which cannot be removed

Question 12

what are tricyclic antidepressants commonly used to treat

Answer 12

OCD

Question 13

difference between tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs

Answer 13

tricyclics are more powerful/wider effects - rarely prescribed first

Question 14

examples of tricyclic drug types

Answer 14

amitriptyline

clomipramine

Question 15

amitriptyline example

Answer 15

elavil

Question 16

clomipramine example

Answer 16

anafranil

Question 17

how to tricyclics work

Answer 17

they block reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline

this works bc both NTs are in same chemical family

Question 18

what does tricyclics blocking the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline cause

Answer 18

a build up in synapses, which increases the NTs effects

Question 19

increased serotonin in OCD patients leads to…

Answer 19

better impulse control

Question 20

increased noradrenaline in OCD patients leads to…

Answer 20

them feeling ‘awake’ and motivated (helps with comorbid depression)

Question 21

what are benzodiazepines (BZs) prescribed for

Answer 21

a range of anxiety disorders - including panic disorder, addiction withdrawal and OCD

Question 22

examples of BZ drug types

Answer 22

alprazolam
diazepam
lorazepam

Question 23

alprazolam example

Answer 23

xanax

Question 24

diazepam example

Answer 24

valium

Question 25

lorazepam example

Answer 25

ativan

Question 26

how do BZs work

Answer 26

by mimicking GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Question 27

how do BZs mimic GABA

Answer 27

they bind to receptors within chloride channels, causing them to open
neg. chloride ions flood into postsynaptic cell
creates IPSP (hyperpolarization) and reduces neuron activity - addressing impulsivity and anxiety