obsessive compulsive disorder Flashcards
what are two behavioral characteristics of OCD?
compulsions- These are repetitive actions that could seriously hinder the persons ability to function in everyday life. Can reduce anxiety created by obsessions temporarily.
Avoidance- Some try to reduce anxiety by avoiding situations that trigger it such as public toilets if their obsession is cleanliness.
what are two emotional characteristics of OCD?
High anxiety- the obsessions and compulsions create a lot of anxiety and tress, the patients are aware of them and how excessive their behavior is leading to them feeling embarrassed and shameful and the fact they cant control their behavior causes distress.
Disgust- may be directed at something external related to the obsession such as dirt if they are obsessed with hygiene or themselves due to feelings of shame.
what are three cognitive characteristics of OCD?
Catastrophic thinking- People with OCD fear something terrible will happen if they don’t do their compulsion such as a death of a loved one.
Obsessions- recurrent, intrusive, irrational thoughts that are perceived as forbidden. This causes people to be scared of sharing them with others. They are not worries about everyday problems and are uncontrollable and often cause anxiety.
Awareness of irrationality- Most patients understand their compulsions and obsessions are irrational but cant stop or control them.
What is the biological approach to OCD?
The biological approach assumes OCD is caused by genetic and biochemical factors.
The genetic explanation for OCD with examples.
OCD is polygenic which means a single gene is not responsible for the disorder but many genes called candidate genes may be responsible for causing OCD.
COMT gene- This is a candidate gene which regulates the production of dopamine which is a neurotransmitter that has been associated with OCD at high levels . A variation of the gene which produces more dopamine is more common in OCD patients that on average.
SERT gene- A candidate gene that effects the transportation of serotonin, often causing lower levels of serotonin. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to OCD and depression.
Genetic explanation evaluation
+) Research support Nestdalt (2000) found that people with a first degree relative with OCD where 5 times more likely to get OCD. Billett (1998) found genetically identical twins where twice as likely to be concordant ( having the same disorder) then non identical twins. Both studies support the theory OCD is transmitted genetically.
-) The concordance rates for identical twins isn’t 100% so there must be other factors besides genetic ones.
Neural explanation for OCD with examples
Dopamine and serotonin are both neurotransmitters that effect mood and abnormal levels of these have been associated with OCD.
Dopamine-OCD sufferers have high levels of dopamine and it has been found that drugs with high dopmaine levels can induce PCD like behavior in animals. It’s also been linked to hyper activity in the basal ganglia area which causes repetitive movements (compulsions)
Serotonin- It plays a major role in operating the caudate nucleus in the basal ganglia and low levels of it effect it leading obsessions in some cases.
Evaluation of Neural explanation
+) Anti depressants which increase serotonin have been seen to reduce OCD symptoms in patients supporting low serotonin levels are a cause for OCD.
-) Neurotransmitters may not cause OCD and examples such as abnormal levels of dopamine and serotonin are symptoms of OCD.
Biological approach to treating OCD.
The biological approach often uses medication to change neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce anxiety, heart rate and other factors affecting OCD.
What type of drugs are used to treat OCD?
SSRIs- selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors these are anti depressants such as Prozac.
BZ-Benzodiazepines are anti anxiety drugs such as Valium.
Explain the medication used to treat OCD.
SSRIs- These anti depressants affect the serotonin system in the brain. Serotonin is released by the presynaptic neurons and travels through the synapse which the gap between neurons. The serotonin conveys a message to the postsynaptic neuron and then is reabsorbed and broken down. SSRIs slow down the breaking down and reabsorption of the serotonin increasing the effect is has on your synapse reducing anxiety.
BZs- These anti anxiety drugs slow down the activity in the central nervous system. It enhances the activity of the GABA neurotransmitter, it reacts with GABA receptors on the outside of neuron and increase the flows of chloride ions into the neuron making it harder for it to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters. This slows down neural activity making a person more relaxed.
Evaluation of BZs and SSRIs.
BZs
+) BZ drugs can reduce anxiety and OCD symptoms quicker then CBT and over treatments.
+) It also may be cheaper then hiring a therapist for CBT.
-) When used long term side affects appear, such as drowsiness, depression and unpredictable interactions with alcohol. A sudden withdrawal after a long term user has become dependent on it can lead to a return of anxiety and other OCD symptoms.
Also over time you build up a tolerance so they need larger doses over time.
SSRIs
+)Soomra (2009) reviewed 17 studies and found that SSRis where all more effective the placebos showing that it is an effective medication.
+) 70% of patients have experienced a decline in OCD symptoms The other 30% of patients either opted out of medication or used a combination of medication and therapy.
-)The dugs have many side effects such indigestion , blurred vision and loss of sex drive which could cause patients to stop taking the medication despite the side effects being temporary.
