SSRI antidepressents e.g. Fluoxetine used to control symptoms of OCD
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Only influence serotonin in the brain, inhibiting the reuptake process in the synapse, therefore serotonin is still present in synaptic cleft and continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron, decreasing anxiety by normalising activity of the worry circuit
Benzodiazepines
Work by enhancing a neurotransmitter called GABA, slowing the CNS and resulting in general relaxation
Tricyclics and SNRIs increase serotonin and noradrenaline, these drugs can be effective when SSRIs fail, but have more side effects due to being non-selective
(+) A03: Soomro
17 Study Meta Analysis comparing SSRIs to placebos
Finding SSRIs significantly reduce symptoms compared to placebos between 6 - 17 weeks post-treatment
Suggests drug therapy is effective in the short term
(-) A03: Goldacre
Argues drug therapy research is mainly done by pharmaceutical companies that create them, meaning they have financial interests in showing the drugs are effective, creating bias
(+/-) A03: Economic Implications
Drug therapy is much cheaper and puts less stress on NHS due to CBT required trained professionals and multiple sessions; however patients prefer CBT due to potential side effects of DT, Soomro found nausea, headaches and insomnia as common side effects
