TREATING OCD

• WHAT APPROACH IS USED TO TREAT OCD?

  biological
• WHAT DOES THE BIOLOGICAL APPROACH SUGGEST?

  OCD has a physical cause
• WHY IS DRUG THERAPY AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO TREAT OCD?

  creates physical changes to neural mechanisms
• WHAT IS THE MAIN TYPE OF DRUG USED TO TREAT OCD?

  SSRIs
• WHAT DOES SSRI STAND FOR?

  selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
• ONE TYPE OF SSRI?

  fluoxetine
• WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAILY DOSAGE OF FLUOXETINE?

  20 mg
• WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM DOSAGE OF FLUOXETINE?

  60 mg
• HOW DO SSRIS INCREASE SEROTONIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS?

  • inhibit reabsorption of serotonin in pre-synaptic neuron
  • increases serotonin in synapse
  • has an effect on post-synaptic neuron
  • reduces anxiety (emotional characteristics of OCD)
  • reduces need to display compulsive behaviour
• ANOTHER FORM OF DRUG USED TO TREAT OCD?

  tricyclics
• WHAT DO TRICYCLICS DO?

  block reabsorption of serotonin and noradrenaline
• WHY ARE SOME PATIENTS REQUIRED TO HAVE TRICYCLICS AND NOT SSRIs?

  some patients don't respond to SSRIs
• WHAT IS THE ISSUE WITH TRICYCLICS COMAPRED TO SSRIs?

  more severe side effects
• STRENGTHS OF DRUG THERAPY?

  • real world application
  • has research support
  • practical
• WEAKNESSES OF DRUG THERAPY?

  • side effects
  • not universal
• WHY IS DRUG THERAPY NOT UNIVERSAL?

  • side effects (sexual dysfunction, blurred vision, weight gain, fatigue)
  • people react differently (withdrawal/ no effect/) = low consistency
  • not appropriate for all
• WHY DOES DRUG THERAPY HAVE REAL WORLD APPLICATION?

  • effects experienced quicker (quicker treatment)
  • integrate better into society
  • boost economy
• WHAT RESEARCH SUPPORT DOES DRUG THERAPY HAVE?

  • Soomro et al
  • SSRIs significantly better than placebos (17 clinical trials)
  • at reducing OCD symptoms
  • effective form of treatment
• WHY IS DRUG THERAPY PRACTICAL?

  • cost effective (cheaper than therapy for NHS and patient)
  • more beneficial to economy
  • non-disruptive (requires less commitment than therapy)
  • more likely to maintain symptom reduction