OCD Flashcards
Describe the behavioral characteristics of OCD.
Behavioral characteristics include the continuous repetition of rituals and behaviors in response to obsessive thoughts, which disrupt everyday functioning, including work and social interaction.
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
People with OCD experience high levels of anxiety and stress in response to obsessive thoughts and the inability to control compulsive behaviors.
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
Cognitive characteristics involve the continual repetition of obsessive thoughts and cognitive biases, making it difficult for individuals to focus on anything else. Many with OCD are aware that their thoughts are inappropriate and exaggerated but are unable to control them.
How is heredity linked to OCD?
Heredity suggests that a person is more likely to develop OCD if a family member has it due to the genetics passed on. Inherited DNA may predispose an individual to developing OCD.
What is the role of the COMT gene in OCD?
The COMT gene regulates the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. In individuals with OCD, the COMT gene is often mutated, leading to lower activity of the COMT gene and higher dopamine levels.
Explain the significance of the SERT gene in OCD.
The SERT gene affects the transport of serotonin. A mutation in the SERT gene in individuals with OCD leads to lower serotonin levels. Ozaki’s research showed that a mutated SERT gene was present in 6 out of 7 members of a family with OCD.
How do twin studies help in understanding the genetic basis of OCD?
Twin studies compare concordance rates between monozygotic (identical) twins, who share 100% of their DNA, and dizygotic (fraternal) twins, who share 50% of their DNA. Higher concordance rates in monozygotic twins suggest a genetic component in OCD.
What role do neurotransmitters play in OCD?
High levels of dopamine are associated with OCD, particularly with compulsive behaviors. Conversely, low levels of serotonin are linked with OCD, as SSRIs, which increase serotonin, reduce OCD symptoms.
Describe the abnormal brain circuits involved in OCD.
In OCD patients, the caudate nucleus is damaged and fails to suppress worry signals from the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). These unsuppressed worry signals return to the OFC via the thalamus, creating a worry circuit. Serotonin and dopamine play key roles in this circuit, with serotonin affecting the OFC and caudate nucleus and dopamine being the main neurotransmitter in the basal ganglia, where high levels lead to overactivity.
What supporting research exists for the genetic explanation of OCD?
Nestadt et al. reviewed twin studies and found that concordance rates for OCD in monozygotic twins were 68%, compared to 31% in dizygotic twins. This indicates a genetic component but also suggests that genetics alone are not the sole cause, as the concordance rate is not 100%.
What is the diathesis-stress model in the context of OCD?
The diathesis-stress model suggests that genetics create a predisposition for OCD, but environmental stressors are necessary to trigger the disorder. Cromer et al. found that over 50% of OCD patients had experienced trauma, supporting the idea that both biological and environmental factors contribute to OCD.
What supporting research exists for the neural explanation of OCD?
Soomro et al. reviewed 17 studies involving 3000 participants, comparing drugs affecting serotonin with placebos. They found that drugs altering serotonin levels were more effective in reducing OCD symptoms, suggesting that serotonin plays a role in OCD.
How has the understanding of serotonin’s role in OCD led to practical applications?
Knowledge of serotonin’s role has led to the development of SSRIs, which are used to reduce OCD symptoms, demonstrating the practical value of biological explanations in improving the lives of those with OCD.
What are the criticisms of the deterministic view in the biological explanation of OCD?
The deterministic view suggests that OCD is solely caused by internal biological factors, implying that sufferers have no control over their behavior. This perspective is pessimistic and could exacerbate anxiety in patients. It overlooks the potential for individuals to manage and improve their condition, suggesting that the biological explanation is limited due to its lack of emphasis on personal agency.
How do SSRIs work in treating OCD?
SSRIs increase serotonin levels, which helps regulate mood and anxiety. They block the reuptake of serotonin, meaning more serotonin remains in the synapse, enhancing its activity.
