Biological Treatment of OCD

what 2 types of drug therapy are used

antidepressants

anti-anxiety

what are SSRIs and how do they work

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

prevents the re-absorption of serotonin

what do anti-depressants aim to do

increase serotonin levels in the brain

outcome of SSRIs

improved mood

reduced anxiety

how do SSRIs work

increase serotonin levels available in the synapse by preventing its reabsorption into the sending cell

improves concentration of receptor sites

what anti-anxiety drugs are used to treat ocd

BZs

how do BZs work

enhancing actions of GABA

quietening influence on the brain and reduce anxiety

strengths of drug therapy

research support - soomro et al (2008), significantly more effective than placebos across 17 trials

cost effective - cost effective compared to CBT

limitations of drug therapy

side effects - mild to serious, BZs are addictive and cause aggression, side effects stop people taking medication

palliative treatment - does not treat the cause of ocd and patients prone to relapse once off the drug, some cases (diathesis stress model) not appropriate

benefits of combining drugs with other treatments

drugs reduce emotional symptoms

patient can engage better with CBT

SSRI alternatives

dosage increases or combinations of drugs

tricyclics (antidepressant with more side effects)

SNRIs (noradrenaline, more effective but more side effects)