biological approach to treating OCD

what does drug therapy for mental disorders aim to do?

increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters in brain to increase/decrease their activity

what do drugs that treat OCD aim to do?

work in various ways to increase the level of serotonin in the brain

what does SSRI stand for?

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

what is serotonin released by?

presynaptic neurons and travles across a synapse

what does the neurotransmitter do?

chemically conveys the signal from the presynaptic neuron to the post synaptic neurons

reabsorbed by presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and reused

what are SSRIs effective in increasing?

levels of serotonin in the synapse and thus continue to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron

compensates for whatever is wrong with the serotonin system in OCD

what do SSRIs prevent?

reabsorption and breakdown of neurotransmitter (serotonin)

what is a typical daily dosage?

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

drug available as capsules/liquid

takes 3-4 months of daily use for SSRIs to have impact on symptoms

how does using CBT alongside SSRIs work?

drugs reduced emotional symptoms (anxious/depressed)

can manage more effectively with CBT

when and why would the dosage of SSRIs be increased?

after 3-4 months

if not effective

what are examples of tricyclics?

clomipramine (older type of antidepressant) has more SEVERE side effects than SSRIs- kept in reserve for people who do not respond to SSRIs

how do tricyclics work?

acts on various system including the serotonin system where it has the same effect as SSRIs

what do SNRIs stand for?

serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors

how do SNRIs work?

increase levels of serotonin as well as noradrenaline