AO1

• OCD can be treated using drug therapy, specifically SSRIs.
• Drug therapy uses chemicals to treat mental disorders as the chemicals affect the functioning of the brain. The drugs use neurotransmitters in the brain to increase/decrease their activity. For example, as we know that abnormal levels of serotonin can be associated with OCD, drugs used to treat OCD will either increase or decrease serotonin levels.
• SSRI stands for selective serotonin reputake inhibitor. This is a type of antidepressant and form of drug therapy that affects the level of serotonin in the synapse by preventing the presynaptic neuron from reabsorbing returned serotonin.
• How SSRIs work

  Serotonin is released by the presynaptic neuron and is passed through a synapse to reach the postsynaptic neuron, where the chemical is absorbed and used. Not all serotonin will always be used, and the postsynaptic nerve will be returned the the presynaptic neuron where it will be reabsorbed and broken down to be used again. SSRIs work as they prevent the presynaptic neuron from reabsorbing the returned serotonin and the serotonin remains in the synapse, increasing the levels of serotonin.
• SSRIs are commonly used in combination with CBT, as SSRIs reduce emotional symptoms of OCD and allow the patient to engage more effectively in CBT.
• After 3/4 months, if the SSRIs are ineffective, alternative treatments will be considered. This can either be to increase the dosage of SSRIs, combine SSRIs with other treatments, or alternative medication can be given. These can include SNRIs and Tricylics. SNRIs are serotonin-noradrenaline reputake inhibitors which increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline. Tricyclics, such as clomipramine, acts on various systems including the serotonin system, but has more severe side effects.