TREATMENTS OF OCD

Question 1

Drug therapy

Answer 1

• medical treatment that utilizes one or more pharmaceutical drugs to improve on-going symptoms, treat the underlying condition, or act as a prevention for other diseases

Question 2

drug therapy in the context of OCD

Answer 2

• main aim is to increase or decrease levels of neuro-transmitters in the brain or increase or decrease activity
• low levels of serotnin are associated with OCD
• drugs work to increase serotonin

Question 3

ssris

Answer 3

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors prevent the rebsorption and dreakdown of serotonin continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron
• this compensates for whatever is wrong with serotnin system in ocd

Question 4

what is the typical dosage

Answer 4

• is 20 mg although this may be increased if its not benefitting the person
• 3-4 months of daily use of SSRI to impact upon symptoms
• dose can be increased 60 mg a day if this is appropiate

Question 5

Combining SSRIs with other treatments

Answer 5

• Drugs are often use alongside CBT to treat OCD. The drugs reduce a patient’s emotional symptoms such as feeling anxious or depressed.
• This means that patients can engage more effectively with the CBT.

Question 6

name the two Alternatives to SSRIs

Answer 6

• Tricyclics
• SNRI’s

Question 7

Tricyclics -

Answer 7

• (an older type of depressant) are sometimes used, such as Clomipramine.
• These have the same effect on the serotonin system as SSRIs.

Question 8

SNRIs (serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors)

Answer 8

• A second like of defence for patients who don’t respond to SSRIs.
• SNRIs increase levels of serotonin as well as another different neurotransmitter - noradrenaline.

Question 9

Drug therapy is effective at tackling OCD symptoms

Answer 9

• Clear evidence for the effectiveness of SSRIs in reducing the severity of OCD symptoms and so improving quality of life for OCD patients.
• Typically, symptoms decline significanly for around 70% of patients taking SSRIs. Of the remaining 30%, alternative drug treatments or combinations or drugs and psychological treatments will be effective for some.
• means drugs can help most pp with OCD

Question 10

COUNTERPOINT Drug therapy is effective at tackling OCD symptoms

Answer 10

• Yes drug treatments may be better than placebo, may not be the most effective treatment
• cognitive behavioural therapies may be more effective than SSRIs in treating OCD
• drugs arent the optimum treatment for OCD

Question 11

Drugs are cost-effective and non-disruptive

Answer 11

• Good for the NHS. No need to travel to appointments and drugs are easy to take.
• SSRI are non-distruptive to peoples lives. if you wish you can simply take drugs until symptoms decline. rather than spending time at therapy sessions
• many doctors and ppl with OCD prefer drug treatments

Question 12

Drugs can have side-effects -

Answer 12

• Indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive.
• For those taking Clomipramine, side-effects can be more serious e.g. erection problems, tremors and weight gain.
• More than 1 in 100 become aggressive and suffer disruption to blood pressure and heart rhythm.
• means peoples quality of life is poor and the out come is that they stop taking the drugs completely reducing effectiveness of treatment