Drug Therapy AO1

• What drug is used to treat OCD?

  SSRI
• What does SSRI stand for?

  Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
• SSRI is a type of antidepressant
• Example of an SSRI

  Prozac
• Possible side effects of SSRIs include:

  • feeling agitated, shaky or anxious
  • feeling or being sick
  • dizziness
  • insomnia
  • headaches
  • changes to sex life (e.g. loss of libido)
• How do SSRIs work?

  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by blocking the receptors in the pre synaptic neuron, increasing levels of serotonin in the synapse making it more likely to be absorbed and improving mood.
• Serotonin in OCD

  In OCD, serotonin fails to bind to post synaptic neuron and are reabsorbed by the pre synaptic neuron which reduces the amount of serotonin around the brain
• The brain communicates through neural networks by passing on chemical messages to each other via an electrical impulse. When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the pre synaptic neuron, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters. The aim is for each neurotransmitter to bind to the receptor in the post synaptic neuron