Drug therapy for mental disorders aims to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or to increase/decrease their activity
Drugs to treat OCD work in various ways to increase the level of serotonin in the brain
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin is released by the presynaptic neurons and travels across a synapse
The neurotransmitter carries the signal from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron and is reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and used
SSRIs prevent reabsorption and breakdown, increasing levels or serotonin in the synapse and thus continue to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron
Typical daily dose for fluoxetine is 20mg
It takes three to four months of daily use to have much impact on symptoms
Combining SSRIs with other treatments
Drugs are often used alongside SBT to treat OCD - the drugs reduce emotional symptoms such as feeling anxious or depressed
This means that people with OCD can engage more effectively with the CBT
Some people respond best to CBT alone while others benefit more when additionally using drugs like fluoxetine
Occasionally other drugs are prescribed alongside SSRIs
