4 Pyschopathlogy- OCD Flashcards
what does ocd stand for?
obsessive compulsive disorder
what is ocd?
it is an anxiety disorder where sufferers experience persistent and intrusive thoughts and compulsions or a combination of both.
obsessions
thoughts that trigger feelings and compulsions
compulsions
behaviours that are attempted to try and decreese the distress and anxiety
what are the 3 types of ocd elements
behavioural (compulsions)
emotional (feelings)
cognitive (obsessions)
2 types of behavioural ocd
-repetitive compulsions
-avoidance
briefly describe the behavioural ocd element of repetitive compulsions
-sufferers are compelled or driven to perform a behaviour to alleviate anxiety from obsessions
-this is repetitive and has to be performed multiple times to provide a short-term solution for the anxiety
3 types of emotional ocd
-extreme anxiety and distress
-accompanying depression
-guilt and disgust
briefly describe the behavioural ocd element of avoidance
-sufferers avoid certain situations in an attempt to reduce anxiety by avoiding situations that would trigger obsessive thoughts
-this interferes with daily life
briefly describe the emotional ocd element of extreme anxiety and distress
-persistent obsessions create high levels of anxiety and worry that a bad event may occur
-this causes feelings of fear and fright which overwhelms the person
briefly describe the emotional ocd element of accompanying depression
-anxiety causes low moods and a loss in pleasure in every day activities which is interrupted by obsessive thoughts and repetitive compulsions
briefly describe the emotional ocd element of guilt and digust
-negative emotions such as irrational guilt or disgust over minor moral issues
-may be directed at self or something external such as dirt.
4 types of cognitive ocd
-recurrent obsessive thoughts
-hypervigilance and selective attention
-cognitive coping strategies
-insight and awareness of irrational behaviour and anxiety
briefly describe the cognitive ocd element of recurrent obsessive thoughts
-persistent and intrusive, unpleasant and disturbing
-distracts an individual from every day tasks as it dominates thinking and interrupts other thoughts
briefly describe the cognitive ocd element of hypervigilance and selective attention
-sufferers have increased awareness of the source of the obsession
-in new situations they remain alert to focus their attention on potential hazards.
briefly describe the cognitive ocd element of cognitive coping strategies
-processes that are attempted to help alleviate or ‘neutralise’ the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts
briefly describe the cognitive ocd element of insight and awareness of irrational behaviour and anxiety
-sufferers realise that compulsions are irrational and make no logical sense
-they understand that this does not stop a behaviour being performed.
what is the COMT gene?
it is a canditate gene that can be inherited, it increases someone’s vulnerability to developing OCD
-involved in the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine
what is a neurotransmitter?
a chemical messenger that carries signals from one neuron to the next target cell
what is the SERT gene?
it is reponsible for the transport of serotonin across synapses, causing lower levels of serotonin- associated with OCD
what does OCD being polygenic mean?
it is caused by multiple genes, each increasing the vulnerability
what do the COMT and SERT genes also interact with to bring about the development of OCD
THE ENVIRONMENT
what does the diathesis stress model suggest?
it suggests that each individual gene only creates a vulnerability, and interactions with external stress factors are key for psychological disorders to develop
example of a supporting study
(genetic explanations of OCD)
Nestudt et al (2010)- role of genes in OCD
results found:
68% concordance rates in MZ twins for OCD (identical)
31% concordance rates in DZ twins for OCD (non-identical)
example of opposing idea/ study
(genetic explanations of OCD)
Cromer 2007
studied whether OCD patients had experiened a traumatic event in their lifetimes
-results shared that environmental factors play a significant role in OCD development- ignores root cause
is the genetic explanation of OCD deterministic?
yes
-it assumes that OCD is caused by genes, such as the COMT and SERT gene
-ignore the role of free will, sufferers may not want to seek medical attention and believe they have the power to tackle symptons
does the genetic explanation of OCD have useful applications?
we are able to identify those at risk of developing OCD
-with genetic testing identifying vulnerabilities for developing it
-we can diagnose disorders and identify links between people’s genes with OCD for further research
what are dopamine and serotonin both?
neurotransmitters
what is the neural explanation for OCD?
Neural explanations suggest that abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, in particular serotonin and dopamine, are implicated in OCD
are dopamine levels high or low in people with OCD?
HIGH
are serotonin levels high or low in people with OCD
LOW
what two regions of the brain are implicated in OCD?
orbitofrontal cortex
basal ganglia system
what is the orbitofrontal cortex?
a region in the brain where high levels of activity are associated with more thought processing and actions “worry circuit”
-end up as obsessions
what is the basal ganglia system?
a region in the brain where disturbed or dysfunctional communication in the area may account for repetitive behaviours and actions
-accounts for compulsions
example of a supporting study
(neural explanations of OCD)
Zohar et al (1987)
-a drug was given to OCD patients that reduced serotonin levels
-this lead to enhanced symptons
-shows that serotonin levels play a role in OCD
example of an opposing idea/ study
(neural explanation of OCD)
the two process model suggests that repeated assocations with something can cause an anxiety conditioned response, it is then maintained with negative reinforcement
-environmental factors can therefore cause OCD and its symptons
does the neural explanation for OCD have any useful applications?
drug treatments such as SSRIs have been tested to reduce OCD symptons
-SSRI’s work by targeting the neurotransmitter serotonin and allowing reuptake to be blocked, increasing activity levels of serotonin in the synapse, causing calmness
can the neural explanation of OCD establish a clear cause and effect?
no
-many neurotransmitters and brain structures all contribute, and some do not at all
-we are unsure
is the neural explanation for OCD scientific?
it is highly scientific
-clinical trials have been taken place, with high levels of control in a strict, artificial, lab environment
-data can be directly observed and analysed
-brain scans produce visual images, objective data with less biases
what is a method to treat OCD?
(biological approach)
drug therapy
-used to increase or decrease levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain
example of antidepressants used to treat OCD?
SSRI
what does SSRI stand for?
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
what does SSRI do?
it elevates levels of serotonin by preventing its reuptake into the pre-synaptic neuron
-causing an increase in serotonin activity in the synapse
-this reduces anxiety and allows for calmness by stabilising the ‘worry circuit’
how long does it take for drugs to impact symptons?
3-4 months
(12 weeks)
what are the small structures that contain neurotransmitters in cells?
vesicles
example of an anti-anxiety drug
BZ
(benzodiazepines)
what do BZ drugs do?
they enhance levels of the neurotransmitter GABA which tells neurons to stop firing, having a quietening influence on the brain
what are SNRIs and when are they taken?
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
-if SSRIs are ineffective, these are prescribed instead
-they are dual reuptake inhibitors (affects two biochemicals)
example of a supporting study
(drug therapy for biological approach)
Soomro et al (2008)
-examined the effectiveness of SSRIs
-results showed that they are more effective then placebos, in treating OCD (17 trials took place)
demonstrates that drugs are effective treatments for OCD
(SSRIs)
is drug therapy an empowering approach?
no, they do not feel empowered (passive), there is minimal human interactions
-drugs do not allow patients to feel actively involved in the process, may cause a low self-esteem
does drug therapy treat the root cause of OCD?
no, it only treats the symptons
-if patients stop taking drugs, withdrawal symptons can show
what is a positive of taking drugs?
it requires less time and effort- potentially more convenient, causing lower drop out rates
opposing ideas of drug therapy?
drugs can have unpleasant side effects, patients may withdraw from their medication
e.g. nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, dizziness, indegestion
