biological treatments for ocd

• What is OCD associated with in the brain?

  Low levels of serotonin
• What type of drug are SSRIs?

  Antidepressant drug
• How do SSRIs affect serotonin levels?

  They prevent reabsorption into the presynaptic neuron
• What is the effect of SSRIs on mood and anxiety in OCD patients?

  They improve mood and reduce anxiety
• How long does it typically take for SSRIs to show effects?

  3-4 months
• How are drugs used in combination with CBT for OCD treatment?

  • Drugs reduce emotional symptoms
  • Helps patients engage with CBT effectively
  • Some respond to CBT without medication
• What happens when SSRIs are not effective for a patient?

  They can be combined with other drugs
• What are tricyclics in relation to SSRIs?

  Older antidepressants with more severe side effects
• What do SNRIs do for OCD patients?

  Increase serotonin and noradrenaline levels
• What are the strengths of using SSRIs for OCD treatment?

  1. Evidence for effectiveness

  • Soomro-2009 study showed better outcomes with SSRIs
  • 70% of patients had symptom reduction

  1. Cost-effective and non-disruptive

  • Cheaper than psychological treatments
  • Non-disruptive compared to therapy sessions
• What did the Soomro-2009 study find about SSRIs?

  SSRIs had better outcomes than placebos
• What percentage of patients on SSRIs saw symptom reduction?

  70%
• Why are SSRIs considered cost-effective?

  They are cheaper than psychological treatments
• What is a limitation of SSRIs in treating OCD?

  They are not the most effective treatment
• What serious side effects can SSRIs cause?

  Weight gain, dry mouth, and memory loss
• How can OCD cases differ in treatment needs?

  Based on family history and life events
• What is a potential bias in drug studies for OCD treatments?

  Researchers may be sponsored by drug companies
• What are the limitations of using SSRIs for OCD treatment?

  1. Not the most effective treatment
  2. Serious side effects
  3. Different causes of OCD require varied treatments
  4. Potential bias in drug studies