The Biological Approach to OCD

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  • The Biological Approach to OCD
    • Treatment
      • SSRI's
        • These are the most common drugs for treating OCD
        • They work by preventing the re-absorption of serotonin
        • Increases the level of serotonin in the synapse and stimulate the post-synaptic neuron
      • SSRI's and CBT
        • The drugs reduce emotional symptoms
        • This means the patient can engage with CBT better
        • So patients may only need CBT and not SSRI's
      • Alternatives
        • Tricyclics - it blocks the re-absorption of serotonin and nor-adrenaline
        • GABA - it is a neurotransmitter that regulates excitement in the NS acting as an anxiety reducer
        • Patients respond differently to different drugs as some drugs work for one person but not another
    • Explinations
      • Genetics
        • A possible gene is SERT which regulates serotonin
        • Also the COMT gene which regulates dopamine
        • Genes have been looked into in twin studies and family studies
        • Higher % of OCD sufferers have family with the condition
        • OCD may have a genetic predisposition to suffer from the illness
      • The biological approach looks at genes, hormones, evolution, CNS, endocrine
      • The condition could also be hereditary
      • These basic assumptions are taken from animals
      • Neural
        • Certain brain areas are thought to be involved in OCD including the OFC and Thalamus
        • The OFC and Thalamus are believed to be overactive leading to increased anxiety and motivation to check an clean
        • The Basal Ganglia is involved in movement and in OCD repetitive motor functions
        • Abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters could lead to certain brain circuits being abnormal

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