Psychopathology - Drug Therapy for OCD

Question 1

SSRIs

Answer 1

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors

Question 2

What do SSRIs prevent?

Answer 2

The re-uptake of serotonin

Question 3

The more the serotonin in the synapse, the fewer the symptoms of…

Answer 3

OCD

Question 4

Inhibit

Answer 4

Stop

Question 5

What do SSRIs increase?

Answer 5

Serotonin

Question 6

What are SSRIs?

Answer 6

Antidepressants

Question 7

What are SSRIs release by?

Answer 7

The pre-synaptic neuron and they can travel across the synapse

Question 8

What do SSRIs target?

Answer 8

Receptor cells in receiving neuron at receptor sites

Question 9

What do SSRIs block and what does this allow?

Answer 9

Re-uptake channel which allows more serotonin to be available in the synapse

Question 10

What does increase of serotonin in synapse increase the likelihood of?

Answer 10

Serotonin binding to post-synaptic neuron which prolongs its activity

Question 11

BZs influence on the central nervous system

Answer 11

General quietening influence

Question 12

What are BZs commonly used to do?

Answer 12

Reduce anxiety

Question 13

What do BZs do?

Answer 13

They slow down the nervous system by increasing GABA

Question 14

What is GABA?

Answer 14

A neurotransmitter which quietens the neurons in the brain by reducing stimulation

Question 15

What do BZs bind to?

Answer 15

Receptor sites of post-syaptic neuron and they open the channel more in receptor sites to let more GABA in

Question 16

What does increase of GABA in channel do?

Answer 16

Calms neurons down making them less likely to ‘fire’

Question 17

Positive evaluation of drug therapy

Answer 17

-Positive supporting research
-Little effort required for taking drugs and cheaper for NHS

Question 18

Negative evaluation for drug therapy

Answer 18

-Drugs only treat symptoms and not the cause
-Possible side-effects (BZ may result in addiction)