OCD Flashcards
define OCD
anxiety disorder characterised by persistent and intrusive thoughts that occur as obsessions, compulsions or both.
what is a behavioural symptom of OCD?
compulsions
what is a cognitive symptom of OCD?
obsessions
what is an emotional symptom of OCD?
extreme anxiety due to feeling compelled to fulfil compulsions
define compulsions
- repetitive, illogical, excessive actions completed in response to obsessions
define obsessions
- recurrent, persistent, intrusive thoughts
explain the role of genetics to explain OCD
- COMT: inhibits dopamine enzyme production = inc. dopamine
- hSERT: overpowered serotonin reuptake valves = no serotonin
what symptoms do the 2 genes produce?
- COMT: psychotic symptoms
- hSERT: anxious symptoms
what 4 drug treatments can be used to treat OCD and what they do?
- SSRIs - inhibit serotonin reuptake
- anti-psychotics - produce more dopamine enzymes
- anxiolytics - reduces anxious symptoms
- psychosurgery - destroys brain tissue with radio waves
what did Piggott (1999) find about tricyclic antidepressents?
- more effective than SSRIs
- best: 1. SSRIs then 2. antidepressants
what did Ciccerone et al (2000) find about antipsychotics?
a low dose is effective due to dopamine reducing effect
what did Julien (2007) find about SSRIs?
not fully effective but 50-80% of patients improved
what did Richter et al (2004) find about psychosurgery?
- 30% of patients found 35% symptom reduction
- side-effects = seizures, urinary incontinence
what did Mallett et al (2008) find about DBS?
DBS significantly reduced symptoms compared to placebo
what did Jonsson & Hougaard (2009) conclude about CBT?
CBT better than drug treatments
what did O’Conner et al (1999) conclude as the most effective form of treatment for OCD?
CBT and drugs combined
- drugs alone only mask issue
- CBT along not suited to all
where are the genes that could lead to OCD development found?
in the genome
what causes the actual development of OCD?
environmental factors
what did Samuels et al (2007) find regarding a chromosome link?
- chromosomal link to hoarding behaviour
- implies genetic influence with some forms being more genetically inherited than others
what did Groothest et al (2005) find about childhood OCD?
- childhood OCD = more genetic than adulthood
- different types + causes (link to Samuels)
what did Tang et al (2014) find about OCD in dogs?
- dogs naturally suffer from compulsive disorders
- limited dog breed diversity = easier to identify genetic influence
- OCD affected dogs had inc. #s of certain genes = genetic link
what did Pichichero (2009) find in the link between Strep and OCD in children?
- streptococcal infections in kids displayed OCD indicators - suggests neural mechanism
- reductionist idea: strep ≠ OCD - must be vulnerable in the first place
describe the diathesis stress model of OCD (immune system)
infections that red. immune system function don’t actually cause OCD trigger symptoms in those genetically vulnerable
what did Hu (2006) find about serotonin levels in OCD sufferers?
serotonin levels are lower in OCD sufferers
what did Zohar et al (1987) find about serotonin in OCD?
serotonin drug inc. OCD symptoms in OCD sufferers
- condition linked to abnormal serotonin levels
What did Koran (2000) find about the use of antipsychotics and SSRIs in alleviating treatment resistant OCD?
- 9/10 completed the trial
- OCD symptoms dec. (some more than others)
- study not placebo or double blind
