Drug Therapy

• Biological treatments for OCD aim to restore chemical imbalances in the brain since this is assumed to be the main character cause of the disorder.
• The main type of drug prescribed for OCD are antidepressants.
• They aim to address the low levels of serotonin.
• They improve MOOD and ANXIETY for patients.
• They are a group of drugs called SSRIs:

  Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
• Synapse-The gap between the neurons.
• Axon-Carries the impulse towards the synapse.
• Presynaptic neuron: The end of the neuron, that releases the neurotransmitter.
• Vesicles: Hold the Neurotransmitter.
• Receptors: These receive the neurotransmitter. Also called the receptor sites.
• Dendrite: The receiving end of the next neuron.
• Stage 1:

  When serotonin is released from the pre-synaptic neuron into the synapse, it travels to the receptor sites on the post synaptic neuron(dendrite.)
• Stage 2:

  Serotonin which is not absorbed into the post-synaptic neuron is reabsorbed into the pre-synaptic neuron.
• Stage 3: SSRIs increase the level of serotonin available in the synapse by preventing it from being reabsorbed into the pre-synaptic neuron.
• Stage 4:

  The increased concentration of serotonin in the synapse increases the amount of receptors activated, meaning the impulse is more likely to be passed on.
• Stage 5:

  As a result, patients experience a reduction in anxiety felt.
• One or more drugs used to treat OCD:

  SSRIs-Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

  Tricyclics

  SNRIs-Serotonin, Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors.
• People without OCD:

  Have normal synaptic transmission.
• People with OCD:

  Someone with OCD experiences too much serotonin reuptake.

  The neurotransmitter is reabsorbed before it has triggered the next neuron.
• SSRI Treatment:

  SSRIs Block serotonin reuptake, increasing the concentration of serotonin in the synapse. This means that more serotonin is absorbed by the receptor sites and can continue to the next neuron.
• Two types of drug are used for the treatment of OCD; anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs.
• SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) are one type of anti-depressant drug, which include drugs like Prozac.
• Benzodiazepines (BZs) are a range of anti-anxiety drugs, which include trade names like Valium and Diazepam.
• BZs work by enhancing the action of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
• GABA tells neurons in the brain to ‘slow down’ and ‘stop firing’ and around 40% of the neurons in the brain respond to GABA.
• BZs have a general quietening influence on the brain and consequently reduce anxiety, which is experienced as a result of the obsessive thoughts.
• SSRIs like fluoxetine block the reuptake of surplus serotonin.
• Soomro et al (2008) conducted a meta-analysis of 17 different studies that used SSRIs with OCD patients.
• Soomro et al (2008) found SSRIs to be more effective than placebos in the short-term.
• Drugs are often used alongside psychological therapies such as CBT.
• When an SSRI is not effective after 3 or 4 months, the dosage can be increased.
• Tricyclics such as clomipramine are sometimes used as an alternative medication.
• SNRIs are serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, which can also be used to treat OCD.
• SNRIs are sometimes used if patients do not respond to SSRIs.