BOF: 2.47
A 33-year-old chef has been referred for further
evaluation.
He is finding it difficult to continue working as he has
a need to wash his hands every time he touches his apron or the tabletop. If
he does touch either surface he has to go and wash his hands 6 times. When he
returns to the work surface he has to line up any items he is chopping in a
certain direction and then count to 25 before he can recommence chopping.
This behaviour is making it difficult to continue working
and his employers are considering termination of service.
He has been referred for psychological treatment but this
has been unsuccessful.
Which one of the following classes of drugs would be
considered the mainstay of treatment for his condition?
a)
Benzodiazepines
b)
Phenothiazines
c)
Butyrophenones
d)
Atypical antipsychotics
e)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Answer:
e)
The patient has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In
this condition abnormalities are thought to occur in the frontal lobes and the
basal ganglia. Serotonin function is probably abnormal in these patients and
serotonin reuptake inhibitors are effective drugs.
