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Psychology - Psychopathology > OCD > Flashcards

OCD Flashcards

1
Q

Obsessions

A

Internal components of recurring intrusive thoughts or impulses that may be inappropriate

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2
Q

Compulsions

A

External component of repetitive behaviours or mental acts done to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions and feelings that something bad will happen if they don’t

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3
Q

Emotional characteristics of OCD

A

Anxiety - caused by obsessions and compulsions
Guilt and disgust - because aware their behaviour is excessive

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4
Q

Behavioural characteristics of OCD

A

Compulsions
Avoidance - of situations that will trigger their anxiety

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5
Q

Cognitive characteristics of OCD

A

Obsessions
Insight - know their obsessions and compulsions are irrational but can’t help it

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6
Q

Polygenic

A

Caused by many genes

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7
Q

How many genes may cause OCD (Taylor)?

A

Up to 230

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8
Q

How do genes lead to OCD?

A

They predispose the individual to OCD so if in right environment, it can develop

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9
Q

Aetiologically heterogenous

A

Origin of OCD has different causes and different groups of genes may cause OCD in different people, or cause different types of OCD

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10
Q

SERT gene

A

Serotonin transporter

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11
Q

What is the result of a mutated SERT gene in people with OCD?

A

Caused and increase in transporter proteins in the neuron’s membrane so there is an increase in reputase of serotonin into the neuron, decreasing levels of serotonin in the synapse

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12
Q

Serotonin

A

Happy hormone

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13
Q

COMT gene

A

Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase
Instructs an enzyme to break down neurotransmitters in the synapse

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14
Q

Dopamine

A

Reward hormone
connects feelings of pleasure to certain behaviours

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15
Q

effect of mutated COMT gene

A

causes decrease in COMT activity resulting in increased levels of dopamine

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16
Q

genetic explanation for OCD evaluation

A

relative environment of twin concordance is stressful

17
Q

what is the “abnormal levels of neurotransmitters” explanation of OCD

A

low levels of serotonin mean mood-relevant information isn’t properly transmitted so mood and sometimes other mental processes are affected

18
Q

what is the “abnormal brain circuits” explanation for OCD?

A

the caudate nucleus is damaged, so fails to supress minor worries from the OFC, and instead the thalami is alerted, which sends signals back to the OFC, acting as a worry circuit

19
Q

Neural explanations of OCD evaluation

A

serotonin is a consequence of depressed associations and damage

20
Q

OFC

A

Orbitofrontal cortex

21
Q

where is the caudate nucleus?

A

in the basal ganglia

22
Q

SSRI

A

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

23
Q

what do SSRI’s do?

A

block the reuptake of serotonin in the brain so it remains active at the synapse where it continues to stimulate the post-synaptic neuron, reducing the symptoms of anxiety

24
Q

what may be done if SSRIs are not effective after 3-4 months?

A

the dosage may be increased, it may be used in conjunction with CBT or a different antidepressant may be used

25
Q

tricyclics action

A

block the transporter mechanism for both serotonin and noradrenaline into the presynaptic neuron after it has fired

26
Q

what is the downside of tricyclics?

A

they generally have more side effects than SSRIs

27
Q

Benzodiazepines

A

anti-anxiety drugs –> slow activity of CNS by enhancing activity of GABA

28
Q

GABA action

A

locks onto receptor sites outside neuron
opens channel allowing chloride ions to flow into the neuron
make it harder for the neuron to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters
slows it’s activity and produces calming effect

29
Q

Drug therapy for OCD evaluation

A

effective relapsing of cheap side effects working together

30
Q

Who did the twin study that supports the genetic explanation of OCD

31
Q

Nestadt figures

A

68% MZ concordance
31% DZ concordance

32
Q

Lewis findings (OCD)

A

37% had parents with OCD and 21% had siblings with OCD

33
Q

what is the low levels of neurotransmitter explanation for OCD based on?

A

The findings that OCD can be relieved by anti-depressants, especially those that increase levels of serotonin in the brain

34
Q

Zohar et al. findings

A

drugs that increased levels of serotonin in OCD patients benefitted 60% of patientsc

35
Q

challenge of Zohar et al. findings

A

most drug treatment studies have only found 50% improvement in OCD patients suggesting other factors involved.

36
Q

what did MacGuire et al. find?

A

brain imaging studies indicate brain regions such as the OFC and caudate nucleus are associated with OCD

37
Q

Soomro et al. findings

A

reviewed 17 studies in the use of SSRIs and found them to be more effective than placebos in reducing OCD symptoms up to 3 months after treatment, in the ST

38
Q

what is the % range of OCD patients that get no benefit from SSRIs?

39
Q

relapse rates for OCD

Psychology - Psychopathology (4 decks)

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