Biological Treatment Of OCD

Question 1

SSRIs (in the context of OCD)

Answer 1

-The main way OCD is treated biologically
-Typically Fluoxatine(Prozac)
-Functions like a standard SSRI, prevents reuptake from occuring too quickly Increasing serotonin levels back to a normal level.
-This then stabilises anxiety by restabilising the activity of the worry circuit (hence reducing obsession).

Question 2

Benzodiazapenes

Answer 2

-A drug that enhances a neurotransmitter known as ‘GABA’
-Enchancing the GABA neurotransmitter slows down the CNS, resulting in a relaxing effect, as your brain is recieving less signals.

Question 3

Tricyclics(SNRI)

Answer 3

-Increase ones levels of serotonin and noradrenaline.
-They can be effective when SSRIs fail, but they are non selective.
-Non selective is an issue as it affects multiple neurotransmitters causing more intense side effects.