Biological treatment OCD

• Outline the use of drug therapy for OCD using SSRIs as an example.

  -Low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD, therefore drugs work in various ways to increase the level of serotonin in the brain.

  -For example, SSRIs prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain.

  -This increases its levels in the synapse and thus serotonin continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron.

  -This compensates for the abnormalities in the serotonin system in OCD.
• What is an SSRI? Name two specific SSRI's.

  -Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (Drug)

  Three examples are Paxil, Fluoxetine and Prozac
• Explain the typical dosage of SSRIs

  -A typical daily dose of Fluoxetine (an SSRI) is 20mg, although this may be increased if it is not benefiting the patient.

  -It takes 3 to 4 months of daily use for SSRIs to impact upon symptoms.
• What are alternative to SSRIs?


  -Tricyclics

  -SNRIs
• What are tricyclics?


  -AKA Clomipramine

  - Older antidepressant

  - Same effect on serotonin system as SSRIs

  - More severe side effects=kept in reserve
• What are SNRIs?

  - serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors

  - increase serotonin and noradrenaline level
• Why are SNRIs and Tricyclics second choice?

  Due to their more intense side effects
• Why are antidepressants used for OCD patients?

  Antidepressants (like anti-anxiety drugs) improve mood and reduce anxiety which is experienced by patients with OCD.
• How are SSRIs combined with other treatments?

  -Used with CBT to treat OCD=reduce emotional symptoms=engage more effectively
• What are the evaluations for treating OCD through the biological approach?


  S: Soomro: studies of SSRIs vs placebos=17 studies showed SSRI>placebo;effect best when SSRI+CBT=drugs help OCD patients

  S: cheaper=good value for NHS;non disruptive to patients lives

  W: minority of sufferers side effects: indigestion/blurred-vision ;tricyclics= tremors/weight gain=patients stop meds

  W: controversy: psychologists believe evidence biased=research sponsored by drug companies (don't report all evidence)=unreliable
• Outline the use of drug therapy for OCD using SSRIs as an example.

  -Low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD, therefore drugs work in various ways to increase the level of serotonin in the brain.

  -For example, SSRIs prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain.

  -This increases its levels in the synapse and thus serotonin continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron.

  -This compensates for the abnormalities in the serotonin system in OCD.
• What is an SSRI? Name two specific SSRI's.


  -Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (Drug)

  Three examples are Paxil, Fluoxetine and Prozac
• Explain the typical dosage of SSRIs


  -A typical daily dose of Fluoxetine (an SSRI) is 20mg, although this may be increased if it is not benefiting the patient.

  -It takes 3 to 4 months of daily use for SSRIs to impact upon symptoms.
• What are alternative to SSRIs?

  -Tricyclics

  -SNRIs
• What are tricyclics?


  -AKA Clomipramine

  - Older antidepressant

  - Same effect on serotonin system as SSRIs

  - More severe side effects=kept in reserve
• What are SNRIs?


  - serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors

  - increase serotonin and noradrenaline levels
• Why are SNRIs and Tricyclics second choice?


  Due to their more intense side effects
• Why are antidepressants used for OCD patients?


  Antidepressants (like anti-anxiety drugs) improve mood and reduce anxiety which is experienced by patients with OCD.
• How are SSRIs combined with other treatments?


  -Used with CBT to treat OCD=reduce emotional symptoms=engage more effectively
• What are the evaluations for treating OCD through the biological approach?

  S: Soomro: studies of SSRIs vs placebos=17 studies showed SSRI>placebo;effect best when SSRI+CBT=drugs help OCD patients

  S: cheaper=good value for NHS;non disruptive to patients lives

  W: minority of sufferers side effects: indigestion/blurred-vision ;tricyclics= tremors/weight gain=patients stop meds

  W: controversy: psychologists believe evidence biased=research sponsored by drug companies (don't report all evidence)=unreliable