Posted by Caleb462 on August 16, 2003, at 13:43:58
In reply to Caleb, posted by McPac on July 27, 2003, at 0:49:32
> "WHAT DO they DO that helps ocd/dep????? IS there an answer"
>
> Unfortunately, no... there is no definite answer.
> There is some data, for instance responders to ADs usually show heightened senstivity of D3 receptors, lowered senstivity at 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors, etc.
>Sorry it took so long to reply... I don't have regular PC access right now, but that situation will change in a week or so.
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>Great to see you back here again Caleb! As for the above.....it's been the SSRI's and Nardil...those AD's, that have been most effective BY FAR for my dep and esp. ocd....other AD's didn't cut it....and don't the ssri's and Nardil have more of an effect on serotonin than the older TCA's?
In general yes, most of the TCA's have a primarly noradrenergic affect, with the exception of Anafranil, which has both a strong serotonergic and noradrenergic effect. And it is true, most of of the TCAs have proven to be entirely ineffective for OCD and related conditions. All the older MAOIs have a strong effect on serotonin, and Nardil in particular, may be the most serotonergic.
>......I don't know but I thought they effected serotonin more
(which was why I thought serotonin 'might' be key for ME (though I still believe that it's FAR MORE complex than just that....I know the brain is INCREDIBLY complex and w/ endless interactions going on in it....but the ssri's especially & Nardil also, help SO WELL that I wonder WHY they help so much better than other AD's? Just wondering....take care Caleb!!!At this point in time, it does appear that the only way to fix OCD pharmaceutically, is through long-term use of serotonin-boosting medication. Some people interpret this as OCD being caused by a lack of serotonin, but the fact is that long-term use of SSRIs, Anafranil, Nardil, etc. causes REDUCED activity of serotonin at particular receptors - 5-HT2, for instance. Thus it would be just as easy to say that OCD stems from an overabundance of serotonin. It is highly unlikely that either of these things is true.
Serotonin IS the key, at this point in time, at *treating* OCD. However - this proves nothing about the origins of OCD. You see what I'm saying?
Just as a sidenote, one thing I think that should be further studied, regarding OCD, is the endogenous opiod system. Opiods are by far the most effective drugs, for me, in treating obsessive thoughts. Curiously, they tend to increase compulsive activity at the same time.
Personally, I have yet to find OCD relief from any medication, but today is day 2 on Nardil - so I've got my fingers crossed.
poster:Caleb462
thread:241945
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/251326.html