OCD - treat

• what is the main treatment method for OCD?

  drug therapy
• what is drug therapy based upon?

  synaptic transmission
• outline how anti-depressants work

  SSRIs increase serotonin transmission

  • normalises worry circuit and decreases impulsive behaviours
• what is the mechanism of action for anti-depressants?

  1. serotonin released into synaptic cleft from one neuron
  2. targets receptor cells on neuron at receptor sites
  3. re-absorbed by initial neuron sending the message
  4. increases stimulation of serotonin
• outline alternative anti-depressants

  • tricyclics - more severe side effects
  • SNRIs - increase serotonin and noradrenaline
• outline how anti-anxiety drugs work

  reduce activity of the nervous system

  • enhances activity of the GABA neurotransmitter
  • increase in chloride ions, slows down activity and improves relaxation
• outline how antibiotics work


  d-cycloserine is used for treating OCD

  • effective when combined with psychotherapy
  • enhances transmission of GABA which reduces anxiety
• explain synaptic transmission

  1. action potential reaches presynaptic terminal
  2. triggers synaptic vesicles to release neurotransmitters
  3. neurotransmitters diffuse across synapse and bind to post synaptic receptor sites
  4. effects are terminated by reuptake
  5. neurotransmitters taken by pre-synaptic neuron and stored in vesicles
• one strength of drug therapy for treating OCD

  effective

  • Soomro et al - symptoms decline for 70% of patients compared to 30% with other treatments
  • most effective when combined with a therapy
  • drugs help reduce symptoms
• second strength of drug therapy for treating OCD

  cost effective

  • good value for public health system compared to psychological treatments
  • no requirement to engage in hard cognitive work
  • non-disruptive and convenient
• one weakness of drug therapy for treating OCD

  side effects

  • temporary effects like indigestion and blurred vision
  • Clomipramine - 1 in 10 suffer tremors and 1 in 100 become aggressive
  • high attrition rate