Biological approach to treating OCD

Changing levels of neurotransmitters

Drug therapy for mental disorders aims to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or to increase/decrease their activity

Low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD

Drugs work in various ways to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain

SSRI stands for

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

What do SSRIs do

Prevent reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain

Increases its levels in the synapse and serotonin continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron

Compensates for whatever is wrong with the serotinn system in OCD

Typical dosage

A typical dose of fluoxetine is 20mg although this may be increased if it is not benefitting the person

It takes 3-4 months of daily use for SSRIs to impact upon symptoms

Dose can be increased if this is appropriate

Combining SSRIs with CBT

Often both are used together

The drugs reduce a persons emotional symptoms suc as feeling anxious or depressed

This mens they can engage more effectively with CBT

What are alternatives to SSRIs

Tricyclics

SNRIs

Tricyclics

an older type of antidepressants are sometimes used such as clomipramine

These have the same effect on the serotonin system as SSRIs but the side effects can be more severe

SNRIs

Serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors

They are a second line of defence for people who don't respond to SSRIs

Increase levels of serotonin as well as noradrenaline

One strength of drug therapy is effectiveness

Soomro et al. reviewed 17 studies of SSRIs for the treatment of OCD

All showed better outcomes following SSRIs then placebos

Typically symptoms reduce for 70% of people taking them

Drugs can be help to most people with OCD

Another strength is that drugs are cost effective and non disruptive

Cheap compared to psychological treatments

Therefore good value to NHS

SSRIs are also non disruptive to lives, no need spending time to go to therapy

Many doctors and people prefer drug treatment

One limitation is drugs can have serious side effects

Side effects like indigestion, blurred vision, loss of sex drive

Clomipramine side effects are more common and can be more serious

1 in 10 erection problems and weight gain

1 in 100 aggressive

May stop taking drugs reducing the effectiveness of treatment