Treating OCD

• Drug therapy 1 -

  > Drug therapy works by balancing levels of the neurotransmitters in the brain in order to relieve symptoms of OCD

  > Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

  > Serotonin agonists

  > SSRI's increase serotonin activity levels by blocking the re-absorption of serotonin to the pre-synaptic neuron, increasing the serotonin levels in the synapse so it continues to activate the post-synaptic neuron
• Drug therapy 2 -

  > SSRIs reduce anxiety associated with OCD

  > SSRI’s usually take around 3-4 months to aleviate symptoms of OCD and the dosage can vary from person to person

  > A different class of anti-depressant drugs,

  called SNRI’s (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) have been used to treat OCD. These increase levels of serotonin and noraderenaline activity and can be used if SSRI’s have not been effective
• Drug therapy AO3 -

  :) RTS Soomro

  > reviewed 17 studies of the use of SSRI’s to treat OCD and found that SSRI’s were more effective in reducing symptoms of OCD compared to placebos

  > symptoms reduced in around 70% of people taking SSRI’s For the remaining 30% most can me helped with either alternative drugs or a combinations of drugs and psychological therapies

  > showing the effectiveness of drug therapy as a treatment for OCD.
• Drug therapy AO3 -

  :) Require little motivation

  > Patients only have to remember to take their tablet in order to reduce their symptoms of OCD

  > A better option than CBT to treat OCD as this requires motivation from patients to attend sessions challenge their irrational thoughts

  > some patients may prefer drug therapy as a treatment for OCD
• Drug therapy AO3 -

  :( Negative side effects

  > For example, SSRI’s can cause nausea, headaches and insomnia

  > This is an issue as patient’s may become distressed from the side effects and may then stop taking their medication

  > therefore reduce the effectiveness of drug therapy as a treatment for OCD.