Biological approach to treating OCD (ao1)
Drug Therapy is offered to patients to either decrease or increase neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters Noradrenaline
Chemicals found within the nervous system A type of chemical (neurotransmitters)
that pass messages from one neuron to involved with mood regulation
another
Types of Drugs
1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
2. Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
3. Tricyclics (TCAs)
SSRIs are the standard medical treatment used to tackle the symptoms of OCD.
- SSRIs work on increasing neurotransmitters in the brain by preventing the
reabsorption of serotonin.
- By preventing the reabsorption of serotonin, SSRis effectively increase its levels in
the synapse and thus continue to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron.
CBT + Drug Therapy
- Drugs reduce emotional effects such as anxiety
- CBT reduces behavioural effects such as compulsions
Tricyclics (TCAs)
- Tricyclics block the transporter mechanism that reabsorbs serotonin. But they block
the reabsorption of both SEROTONIN and NORADRENALINE.
- As a result more of the neurotransmitters are left in the synapse, prolonging their
activity.
- Tricyclics have the advantage of targeting more than one neurotransmitter.
SNRIs
- Similar effect to SSRIs but they block the reuptake of both serotonin and
noradrenaline.
- This enhances the effect of available chemicals which in turn helps to improve the
mood of the patient.
Drug Therapy is offered to patients to either decrease or increase neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters Noradrenaline
Chemicals found within the nervous system A type of chemical (neurotransmitters)
that pass messages from one neuron to involved with mood regulation
another
Types of Drugs
1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
2. Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
3. Tricyclics (TCAs)
SSRIs are the standard medical treatment used to tackle the symptoms of OCD.
- SSRIs work on increasing neurotransmitters in the brain by preventing the
reabsorption of serotonin.
- By preventing the reabsorption of serotonin, SSRis effectively increase its levels in
the synapse and thus continue to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron.
CBT + Drug Therapy
- Drugs reduce emotional effects such as anxiety
- CBT reduces behavioural effects such as compulsions
Tricyclics (TCAs)
- Tricyclics block the transporter mechanism that reabsorbs serotonin. But they block
the reabsorption of both SEROTONIN and NORADRENALINE.
- As a result more of the neurotransmitters are left in the synapse, prolonging their
activity.
- Tricyclics have the advantage of targeting more than one neurotransmitter.
SNRIs
- Similar effect to SSRIs but they block the reuptake of both serotonin and
noradrenaline.
- This enhances the effect of available chemicals which in turn helps to improve the
mood of the patient.
