treating OCD

• SSRI?

  selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
• what do SSRI do?

  -block the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic cell

  -increases levels of available serotonin in the synapse

  -enabling continued stimulation of the postsynaptic neuron

  (e.g. fluoxetine)
• tricyclic antidepressants


  -work the same as SSRI but also block the reuptake of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline
• other types of drugs?

  -used for patients who don't respond to antidepressants or SSRI:

  • antipsychotics reduce dopamine activity
  • antianxiety drugs increase activity of GABA = calms central nervous system
• drug therapy AO3 - supporting evidence

  -Soomro - meta-analysis of 17 clinical trials that compared SSRI to a placebo = symptoms reduced significantly with SSRI

  :)/:( the greatest symptom reduction was in patients who were prescribed SSRI alongside psychological treatment (CBT)
• drug therapy AO3 - individual differences

  -50-70% respond to SSRI but 30-50% do not

  and although symptoms are reduced, they are not eliminated
• drug therapy AO3 - cheap

  -£50-100 per session for therapy but less than £10 for drugs

  -easy and simple to take = accessible form of treatment for majority
• drug therapy AO3 - side effects


  -less appropriate for patients who suffer with more severe side effects as it may lead to them stopping their medication intake

  + withdrawal symptoms, relapse