depression,phobias&ocd Flashcards
what are the two parts of ocd
obsessions and compulsions Most people with ocd experience obsessions and compulsions that are linked to each other. eg excessive worrying about catching germs which may lead to excessive hand washing a compulsion
what are the cognitive, behavioural and emotional aspects of ocd
obsessions are the cognitive aspect of ocd and compulsions are the behavioural aspect. there is also an emotional aspects as ocd causes people anxiety and there compulsions are an attempt to relieve this
yedgeh
2% of the worlds population is affected by ocd lol.
what critea does the dsm outline for ocd
patients and reoccurring thoughts images or impulses that are unwanted and cause distress to the person experiencing them. For example imagining that youve left the door unlocked and burglars are rampaging through your house
the person actively tries to ignore the thoughts, impulses or images but is unable to
the obsession might have been caused by other physiological substances like drugs
compulsions are re……. describe compulsions
compulsions are physical or mental repetitive actions. they are the external aspects of OCD
For example, checking the door is locked nine times or repeating a certain phrase or prayer to neutralise an unwanted thought
the problem is the action only reduces the anxiety caused by an obsession for a short time meaning the obsession starts again
dsm pt2
the dsm states that if obsessions or compulsions last for atleast one hour each day this is an indication of a clinical case of ocd another indication of ocd is if the obsession and compulsions interfere with a persons ability to maintain a relationship hold down a job or take part in social activities
what are the 4 common types of ocd behaviour
checking
contamination- eg fear of catching germs
hoarding- keeping useless or worn out objects
symetry and orderliness-getting objects line up just right etc
what is the dsm
the dsm is used to classify disorders using defined diagnostic criteria thus includes a list of symptoms which can be used as a tool for diagnosis
the dsm makes diagnosis concrete and descriptive
classifications allow data to be collected about a disorder this can help in the development of new treatments and medication
this type of classification has been criticised for stigmatising people and ignoring their uniqueness by putting them in artificial groups
what type of disorder is depression
depression is a mood disorder are characteristics by strong emotions which can influence a persons ability to function normally a mood disorder can affect a persons perceptions thinking and behaviour
what are the two types of depression
major depression
manic depression
describe manic depression-what type of disorder
bipolar disorder -alternation between two moods extremes(mania and depression)
the change in mood often occcurs in regular cycles of days or weeks.
episodes of mania involve overactivity, repaid speech and feeling extremely happy or agitated.
episodes of depression involve the symptoms covered below
describe major depression
unipolar disorder ‘
an episode of depression that can occur suddenly.
major depression can be reactive caused by external factors eg death of a loved one.
or it can be endogenous-caused by internal factors eg neurological factors
what are the three ranges of symptoms
physical/behavioural symptoms
cognitive symptoms
affective/emotional symptoms
what are the characteristics of behavioural/physical symptoms
sleep disturbance-insomnia(being unable to sleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping alot more than usual)
change in appetite-people may eat more or less than usual and gain or lose weight
pain-especially headaches joint ache and muscle ache
lack of activity-social withdrawal and loss of sex drive
what are the characteristics of cognitive symptoms
experiencing persistent negative beliefs about themselves and their abilities
suicidal thoughts
slower thought processes difficulty concentrating and making decisions
what are the characteristics of affcetive/emotional symptoms
extreme feelings of sadness,hoplessness and despair
diurnal mood variation-changes in mood throughout the day, eg feeling worse in the morning
anhedonia-no longer enjoying activities or hobbies that used to be pleasureable
What is the cognitive approach to depression
The cognitive approach approached on the thought process in efforts to treat the problem
What model is shown to prove the cognitive approach in depression
The ABC model by Ellis starring that: an activating event (A) leads to a belief (B) which then leads to a consequence (c)
What does the abc model suggest about treating depression
Depression can be treated either by avoiding the activating event (A) or by preventing the belief (B) from being irrational
How does Beck’s research aid this
Beck in 1963 put forward the negative triad which suggests that negative thoughts about ourselves, the future and the world around us all lead to depression
Extra info
This cognitive approach can provide useful ways to teach depression such as cbt and there has been extra experimental evidence that negative thinking and depressive thiughts can be avoided, leading to depressive symptoms being reduced or avoided
What may be another result of faulty cognition (faulty thinking)
Genetics or chemical imbalances in the brain
what is an ethical issue with the cognitive approach
To some extent it places blame for the issue on the patient which can simply worsen there depression
What is cbt
Cbt is a cognitive behaviour therapy that is a type of therapy which aims to identify and then change faulty thinking and cognitions
What is the process of cbt
Identification:The therapist and the patient work to identify faulty cognitions
Realisation:the therapists tries to help the patient realise these cognitions are false
Goals: the patient and therapist set goals to work towards giving a sense of progress
Present:The therapists tries to keep the patient in the present moment:this prevents them worrying about the future or dwelling on the past
Recording:the patient keeps a detailed diary which allows them to see progress and control their thoughts patters
What are the advantages of cbt
It empowers patients
Seems to generally effective
And can be relatively cheap
What is the negatives of cbt
Is mainly dependant on the skill of the therapists
Can be expensive in the short term
Also very time insentive and does not always get results
What is the behavioural approach to phobias
The behaviour approach to argues that irrational fears can be learned through conditioning and therefore can be unlearned
Explain how classical conditioning leads to a fear response
A certain harmless stimulus such as a spider, loud noise or crowd behinds as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
This causes a natural response called an unconditional stimulus (US)
When the unconditioned stimulus is presented with another stimulus which is actually dangerous the two become linked
Overtime the unconditioned stimulus alone can produce a fear response this is known as a conditioned stimulus
How does operant conditioning work
Operant conditioning works in the opposite direction (by reinforcing the consequence of actions) : it is therefore responsible for the maintainence of phobias
What are the two main ways to treat phobias using the behavioural approach
systematic desensitation and flooding
What is systematic desensitisation and how does it work
Systematic Desensitisation uses relaxation techniques to gradually reduce fear
- The patient begins by implementing relaxation techniques, and then the fear stimulus is gradually
introduced
- As the patient suffers no negative consequences from the stimulus, they gradually learn to
maintain a relaxed composure
- Over time, and repeated exposure, the patient remains calm when presented with the stimlus and
the phobia has been cured
What is flodding and how does it work
Flooding is similar, but rather more sudden and brutal
- The patient is overwhelmed quickly with large amounts of the stimulus, such as many snakes or
spiders, or by being placed atop a skyscraper
- They maintain this position, or proximity to the fear stimulus, until nothing negative has occured
and the anxiety has abated
What are the positives and negatives
Flooding has ethical issues: it can actually make phobias worse and is rarely used today
- Systematic desensitisation has had some success, however, but it does require large amounts of
time and a high level of attendan-from the patient
What is the biological approach
The biological approach to ocd assumes that psychological disorders are caused by physical problems within the body:
What are the three factors that may cause ocd due to the biological approach
Generic factors
Biochemical factors
Neurological factors
Explain what generic factors are (biological approach to biological ocd)
- Generic Factors: This idea suggests that genetic defects or abnormalities may lead to
malfunctions within the brain which causes OCD
Explain what bio chemical factors are (biological approach to biological ocd)
Biochemical Factors: This idea suggests that abnormalities within the body chemistry may
cause obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours
- Specifically, it is thought that a chemical called serotonin, which acts as a neurotransmitter,
may be responsible, but this has never been conclusively proven
Explain what neurological factors are (biological approach to biological ocd)
- Neurological Factors: This idea suggests that physical deformities in the brain may cause
OCD
- There has also been some experimental evidence for this, but damage to the brain has not
been found on 100% of patients suffering OCD, so there must be other explanations
