Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Biological approach to treating
OCD
- SSRI's
- Common for OCD as
well as depression
- Normalising the
worry circuit
- Helps increase
serotonin levels
- Reduce anxiety
found with OCD
- E.g. prozac
- Serotonin is released into
synapse from one neuron.
- Targets receptor cells on
the receiving neuron at
receptor sites and
afterwards is re-absorbed
by the initial neuron
sending the message.
- In order to increases serotonin
at the synapse and increases
stimulation to receiving
neuron, the re-uptake is
inhibited
- Anti anxiety's
(Benzodiazepines)
- Xanax, valium
and librium
- Slow activity of CNS by enhancing the
activity of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric
acid) a neurotransmitter which has a
quietening effect on the neurons in the
brain
- Reacts with GABA
receptors on receiving
neurons which opens a
channel allowing a flow
of chloride ions into the
neuron
- Chloride makes it harder
for the neuron to be
stimulated by other NT's,
slowing its activity and
creating a relaxed
feeling.
- Tricyclic's
- Primarily used for OCD
rather than
depression
- Block the transporter
mechanism that re-absorbs
serotonin and noradrenaline
into the pre-synaptic cell
after it has fired.
- More NT's are left in
synapse, prolonging
their activity and
easing transmission
into next impulse
- Target more than 1 NT
- Bad side effects, i.e.
hallucinations so are
used only when SSRI's
fail
- D - Cycloserine is used to
treat anxiety and
possibly OCD. Is an
antibiotic for TB.
Enhances GABA
transmission
- Side effects
- Sometimes outweigh
the benefits of the
drug
- Insomnia,
hallucinations,
aggressiveness can be
overwhelming and
worse than the OCD
behaviours they're
aiming to combat.
- Sometimes are bearable
due to the drug having a
positive impact on
symptoms
- I.e. slight dizziness
and nausea
outweigh OCD
behaviours like
cleaning hands
until bleeding
- Not lasting cure
- Only help to ease
symptoms rather than
actually curing the
behaviour in the first
place
- Likely to
relapse in
weeks after
stopping
medication
- Effectiveness
- Drug trials show that drugs are
effective in treating OCD