OCD Flashcards
what is OCD?
obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterised by persistent, intrusive thoughts and repetitve behaviours
what are obsessions in OCD?
Obsessions are intrusive and persistent thoughts, such as “germs are everywhere, they could harm me”
what are compulsions in OCD?
compulsions are repetitive and time consuming behaviours such as checking the door is locked at least 7 times before bed
why do people with OCD perform compulsions?
to reduce anxiety and feel assured e.g hand washing reassures them they won’t get sick
what is avoidance in OCD?
avoiding situations that may trigger their obsessive thoughts e.g avoiding social engagements due to fear of germs, making them isolated from outside world
what are some emotional characteristics of OCD?
extreme anxiety, guilt, disgust and depression
what are some cognitive characteristics of OCD?
obsessive and intrusive thoughts
what coping mechanisms are used in OCD?
identifying obsessive thought, using a grounding object e.g wristband
what is catastrophising in OCD?
thinking situations are worse than they are e.g I can’t find anywhere to wash my hands I might die
what is the genetic explanations of OCD?
the genetic explanation of OCD assumes that mental illness are heritable, meaning they can be passed down through generations
what is the risk of developing OCD in families?
the risk of developing OCD is higher for first degree relatives e.g siblings or children
what are candidate genes in OCD?
candidate genes are genes identified as increasing vulnerability to OCD
is OCD caused by a single gene?
No, OCD is polygenic, meaning it is caused by multiple genetic variations
what role do neurotransmitters play in OCD?
OCD related genes often involve serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways linked to mood, emotion and motivation
what is the COMT genes role in OCD?
-COMT gene helps regulate dopamine levels
-a variation of the COMT gene is linked to OCD, as irregular levels may lead to compulsive behaviours
what is the SERT genes role in OCD?
-the SERT gene affects transport of serotonin
-lower serotonin activity is linked to OCD, influencing mood and obsessive thoughts
what research supports the genetic explanation of OCD?
-Nestadt et al found that 68% of identical twins(MZ) both had OCD, compared to 31% of non identical twins(DZ)
-suggest strong genetic link for OCD
why are twin studies important for understanding OCD? (strengths)
-help investigate heritability of OCD
-identical twins act as controls for each other, reducing individual differences
-large sample sizes in twin studies provide reliable data
what are limitations of genetic explanations of OCD?
-may ignore environmental factors, leading to biological reductionism
-twins share the same environment, so upbringing may also contribute to OCD
what did Pato et al find about the genetic explanation of OCD?
pato et al noted ghat while there is some genetic basis for OCD, there is insufficient understanding of the specific genetic mechanisms involved
what is the biological approach to treating OCD?
it assumes that OCD is caused by low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood
what happens when serotonin levels are low?
can cause mood imbalances such as feeling down or anxious leading to obsessive thoughts
what type of drugs are used to increase serotonin levels?
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that help increase serotonin levels
how do SSRIs work?
SSRIs prevent the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron, making more serotonin available in the synaptic cleft for better neurotransmission
why are SSRIs called “selective”?
they mainly affect serotonin levels, not other neurotransmitter like dopamine
what other drugs are used to treat OCD besides SSRIs?
benzodiazepines (BZs) are anti anxiety drugs that induce calm and reduce obsessive thoughts
how do BZs work?
enhance transmission of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that control neuron hyperactivity associated with anxiety and stress
strengths of drug therapy for OCD?
-cost effective and widely available, cheaper than other treatments like CBT
-positive impact on the economy by helping people return to works sooner
research support for drug therapy effectiveness?
Greist et al conducted a meta-analysis showing drugs were more effective than placebos at reducing OCD symptoms
limitations of drug therapy?
-side effects: SSRIS can cause blurred vision, sleep issues, BZs can cause drowsiness
-publication bias: positive drug trial results are more likely to be published, reducing the validity of research findings
what did Goldacre (2013) find about drug trial results?
drug companies tend to selectively publish positive outcomes, which can be unethical and misrepresent the effectiveness of the drugs
