A01

• Drug treatments for OCD

  • aim to increase the levels of serotonin that are active in the brain. ​
  • Typically, the main drugs that are prescribed for OCD are antidepressants.​
  • Particularly, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) – these prevent the reuptake of serotonin.
• How do SSRI's work

  • SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin back into the pre-synaptic cell. ​
  • ​This means that there are increased levels of serotonin left in the synapse that can excite and stimulate the post-synaptic cell.
• An alternative to SSRI is a tricyclic. Outline them

  • Tricyclics block the transporter mechanism that re-absorbs both serotonin and noradrenaline, prolonging their activity

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  • However, tricyclics are kept as a backup option due to their more severe side effects.
• Outline SNRI's

  • Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors ​

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  These drugs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine – two neurotransmitters in the brain that play a role in stabilising mood.
• SSRI's can be combined with CBT

  • to help to reduce the emotional response in OCD which allows a patient to engage more in therapy and challenge their beliefs in CBT sessions.