Treating biologically

• What is the main treatment for OCD according to the biological approach?

  Drug therapy
• What biochemical imbalance is associated with OCD?

  Imbalances in serotonin
• What are the types of drugs used in treating OCD?

  • SSRIs (e.g., Fluoxetine)
  • Tricyclics (e.g., Clomipramine)
  • SNRIs (e.g., Venlafaxine)
• How do SSRIs work in treating OCD?

  They increase serotonin levels by preventing reabsorption
• How long does it typically take for SSRIs to show full effect?

  3-4 months
• What are alternatives if SSRIs are ineffective?

  Tricyclics and SNRIs
• What did Soomro et al. (2009) find about SSRIs?

  They are more effective than placebo in studies
• How effective are SSRIs when combined with CBT?

  They are most effective when combined
• What percentage of patients experience symptom reduction with SSRIs?

  70%
• What are the strengths of drug therapy for OCD?

  • Cost-effective
  • Non-disruptive to daily life
  • Backed by scientific research and RCTs
• What are the limitations of drug therapy for OCD?

  • Side effects: nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction
  • Not a permanent cure
  • Symptoms may return if medication stops
  • May not address underlying causes
• Why are SSRIs used first

  They have less severe side effects
• Side effects of SSRIs

  Nausea headaches insomnia
• Side effects of SNRIs

  Nausea dry mouth headaches reduced libido
• What do the drugs do

  Increase neurotransmitters in the brain