Biological approach to treating OCD

What is a type of therapy to treat OCD?

Drug therapy

How does drug therapy work?

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI'S) are a type of antidepressant drug used to treat OCD

• Serotonin is released by presynaptic neurons in the brain + travels across a synapse, sends chemical signal from presynaptic neurons into the postsynaptic neuron + then reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and reused

• SSRI's prevent reabsorption + breakdown of serotonin thus increasing levels of serotonin in the synapse

What is used to treat OCD effectively?

• Drugs alongside CBT

• the drugs reduce emotional symptoms of anxiety + depression allowing person to engage more effectively with CBT

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