Bio treatment to OCD

• Biological approach used to treat OCD with drug therapy
• Drug treatments usually work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain using SSRIs (antidepressants)
• SSRIs prevent the reuptake of serotonin in the synaptic cleft

  More serotonin in next neuron
• Advantages

  Found SSRIs to be effective in treating OCD

  Thoren et al found use of SSRIs was better than using placebo

  Other antidepressants don't affect serotonin levels for OCD
• Disadvantages

  Up to 50% patients with OCD don't experience any improvement when using SSRIs

  90% patients relapse

  SSRIs need to be taken for several weeks before improvement occurs

  Side effects include Nausea and headaches as well as increased anxiety