the biological approach to treating OCD

Drug Therapy
1. aims to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters
  1. SSRI
    1. work on the serotonin system in the brain
      1. how? serotonin
        serotonin - released by presynaptic neurons, travels across synapse
        neurotransmitter conveys the signals to postsynaptic neurons
        then reabsorbed by presynaptic neuron (then broken down and reabsorbed)
    2. how? SSRI
      1. prevents reabsorption of presynaptic neuron
        increases level in synapse
    3. 3 -4 months of daily use
  2. combining SSRIs & CBT
    1. drugs reduce emotional symptoms
      1. can engage in CBT better
  3. alternatives
    1. Tricyclic
      1. older type of antidepressant
        clomipramine
        same effect on serotonin system as SSRI
        more serious side effects
    2. SNRIs
      1. increase levels of serotonin & noradrenaline
        second line of defence
Evaluation
1. effective at tackling symptoms
  1. Soomero
    1. all 17 studies showed better results with SSRIs
      1. greatest when combined with CBT
      2. workd for about 70% of patients
        other 30% use different drugs
2. cost effective & non disruptive
  1. cheap compared to CBT
    1. good for NHS
  2. don't have to do any hard work like CBT
3. they can have side effects
  1. e.g.
    1. indigestion
    2. blurred vision
    3. loss of sex drive
  2. clomipramine
    1. more serious
      1. 1 in 10
        erection problems
        tremors
        gain weight
      2. 1 in 100
        aggressive
        disruption to blood pressure & heart rhythm
evaluation +
1. unreliable evidence
  1. research sponsored by the drug companies
    1. may be biased
2. cases that follow trauma
  1. drugs may not be appropriate
    1. a more cognitive approach may be better
      1. gets to the root of the problem

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the biological approach to treating OCD

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	Created by Daisy U almost 9 years ago