treating OCD (biological)

• What is the standard medical treatment to treat symptoms of OCD?

  involves antidepressants known as SSRIS - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
• What do SSRIs do?

  Block the reuptake of serotonin back into the pre-synaptic neuron & therefore keep more serotonin available in the synapse
• What is the typical dosage?

  Dosage may vary, typical dose of Fluoxetine is 20mg but may b increased if no improvement
• What are the drug often combined w?


  - used alongside CBT as they reduce emotional symptoms

  - allows patient to engage more effectively in CBT
• What happens if SSRIs r not working?

  tricyclics like clomipramine are used, however they often have more sever side effects
• What r SNRIs?

  Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors

  - increase levels of serotonin & another neurotransmitter noradrenaline
• What is one strength?

  - evidence for effectiveness

  - Soomro et al. reviewed 17 studies comparing SSRIs to placebos & all showed significantly better outcomes for SSRIs

  - typically 70% of patients experience a symptom reduction when taking SSRIS & 30% respond to alternative drug treatments

  - biological treatments appear to b most helpful for most ppl w OCD
• What is a limitation for SSRIs?

  - side-effects

  - most experience mild effects like indigestion, blurred vision & a loss of libido

  - for older treatments like clomipramine, 1 in 100 become aggressive & experience heart-related problems

  - effects lead to a reduced quality of life & may result in ppl no taking them, making drugs ineffective
• What is one final strength?

  Cost-effective & non-disruptive

  better for economy