OCD Flashcards
What is OCD
Obsessive = internal recurring thoughts
Compulsion = repetitive behaviours caused by obsessive thoughts
Behavioural Characteristics
. Compulsions are repetitive
. Compulsions reduce anxiety
. Avoidance
Emotional Characteristics
. Anxiety and Distress
. Depression
. Guilt and disgust
Cognitive Characteristics
. Obsessive thoughts
. Obsessive actions
. Excessive anxiety
Neural Explanation
(Bio Approach)
. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters
^ Basal Ganglia and OFC involved
BG involved in multiple processes - found when removed OCD symptoms reduced
Orbitofrontal Cortex - decision making and worry about social/other behaviour
^ PET scans found higher activity levels in patients with OCD - increases behaviour which leads to compulsion
Evaluation of neural explanation
Good supporting evidence
^ antidepressants (increase serotonin) reduce symptoms
Not clear what neural mechanisms are involved
^ research identified other brain symptoms are involved in OCD
Genetic Explanation
(Bio approach)
If a person develops OCD its at least partly due to their genes
Research from Family studies (Lewis)
- 37% of his patients had parents with OCD
- 21% had siblings with OCD
^ suggests OCD runs in families - creates ‘genetic vunerability’
Diathesis Stress model
(neural explanation)
Theory which explains how psychological disorders develop
. Although genes leave people more likely to suffer a mental disorder, environmental experiences are also needed to trigger them
Candidate Genes
(neural explanation)
Taylor = genes which create vunerability for OCD
2 candidate genes linked to OCD:
COMT = reduce action of dopamine
SERT = affects transport of serotonin
OCD is polygenetic - development isn’t determined by single gene but as many as 230
Evaluation of genetic explanation
. Good supporting evidence
^ twin studies = 68% of identical twins shared OCD
. Too many candidate genes
. Environmental risk factors
^ Cromer - found over 1/2 the OCD patients in sample had trauma, OCD not entirely based on genetics
Treatments of OCD
(Drugs)
Drug therapies = treatments involving drugs that had particular effect on the function of brain or other body systems
^ aims to increase/decrease levels of neurotransmitters in the brain
Antidepressants - SSRI
low levels of serotonin associated with depression and OCD - drugs increase levels
^ flouxerine is an e.g of SSRI
How do antidepressants affect synapses
. Serotonin released by the brain by the presynaptic neuron and travels across synaptic gap
. Neurotransmitter chemically conveys signal from presynaptic neuron to postsynaptic
. Then its reabsorbed by the presynaptic where its broken down and reused
SSRI’s prevent reabsorbtion and increase levels of serotonin in the synapse and this continues to stimulate postsynaptic
Drugs and CBT
Alternatives to SSRI
Drugs are often used alongside CBT to treat OCD
Tricyclics = same effect as SSRI but more severe side effects
SNRI = used when SSRI’s don’t work, increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline
Evaluation of treatments of OCD
Drugs are effective
Drugs are cost effective and non-disruptive
Drugs can have side effects
