Biological Treatments of OCD

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 

  • Prevent the reuptake of serotonin increasing the amount of serotonin available in the synaptic cleft  
  • Can be taken for 3 –4 months before symptoms reside -> if they don't reside then alternative therapies should be considered 
• Tricyclics 


  Work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into the pre-synaptic cell which leave it for longer in synaptic cleft stimulating the post synaptic cell and noradrenaline for longer 
• Anti-anxiety drugs

  • Benzodiazepines are used to decrease anxiety by slowing down the neurotransmissions through enhancing GABA (slows the effect of neurons) 
  • Benzodiazepines increase levels of GABA and slow the firing of neurons; this decreases the amount of thought and actions preformed decreasing the obsessions and compulsions  
• MAIOs (mono amine oxidase inhibitors)

  • Last resort treatment  
  • Inhibit the activity of monoamine oxidase enzymes aiming to increase the availability of serotonin  
  • Side effects; insomnia, drowsiness, decreased sexual desire, difficulty urinating, tingling sensation on skin  
• A03

  • Effective in treating OCD -> clear evidence from Soomro et al; who reviewed studies comparing SSRIs to placebos and found in all 17 studies there was significant improvement especially when combined with CBT 
  • Drugs are cost effective -> cheap which has positive implications on the NHS -> also non disruptive to patients' life as they only need to remember to take them -> batter value for money and easier option for many patients which is preferred and valued by medical professionals and patients  

   
• A03 continued

  • Drugs only trat the symptoms so when they stop taking, there are there a high chance of relapse  
  • Side effects -> helpful to reduce symptoms by have side effects -> tricyclics may suffer with irregular heart rate and blood pressure, MAIOs require avoiding certain foods containing tyramine of the bp can rise to fatal levels