OCD

Question 1

what is OCD?

Answer 1

obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterised by persistent, intrusive thoughts and repetitve behaviours

Question 2

what are obsessions in OCD?

Answer 2

Obsessions are intrusive and persistent thoughts, such as “germs are everywhere, they could harm me”

Question 3

what are compulsions in OCD?

Answer 3

compulsions are repetitive and time consuming behaviours such as checking the door is locked at least 7 times before bed

Question 4

why do people with OCD perform compulsions?

Answer 4

to reduce anxiety and feel assured e.g hand washing reassures them they won’t get sick

Question 5

what is avoidance in OCD?

Answer 5

avoiding situations that may trigger their obsessive thoughts e.g avoiding social engagements due to fear of germs, making them isolated from outside world

Question 6

what are some emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 6

extreme anxiety, guilt, disgust and depression

Question 7

what are some cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Answer 7

obsessive and intrusive thoughts

Question 8

what coping mechanisms are used in OCD?

Answer 8

identifying obsessive thought, using a grounding object e.g wristband

Question 9

what is catastrophising in OCD?

Answer 9

thinking situations are worse than they are e.g I can’t find anywhere to wash my hands I might die

Question 10

what is the genetic explanations of OCD?

Answer 10

the genetic explanation of OCD assumes that mental illness are heritable, meaning they can be passed down through generations

Question 11

what is the risk of developing OCD in families?

Answer 11

the risk of developing OCD is higher for first degree relatives e.g siblings or children

Question 12

what are candidate genes in OCD?

Answer 12

candidate genes are genes identified as increasing vulnerability to OCD

Question 13

is OCD caused by a single gene?

Answer 13

No, OCD is polygenic, meaning it is caused by multiple genetic variations

Question 14

what role do neurotransmitters play in OCD?

Answer 14

OCD related genes often involve serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways linked to mood, emotion and motivation

Question 15

what is the COMT genes role in OCD?

Answer 15

-COMT gene helps regulate dopamine levels
-a variation of the COMT gene is linked to OCD, as irregular levels may lead to compulsive behaviours

Question 16

what is the SERT genes role in OCD?

Answer 16

-the SERT gene affects transport of serotonin
-lower serotonin activity is linked to OCD, influencing mood and obsessive thoughts

Question 17

what research supports the genetic explanation of OCD?

Answer 17

-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

Question 18

why are twin studies important for understanding OCD? (strengths)

Answer 18

-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

Question 19

what are limitations of genetic explanations of OCD?

Answer 19

-may ignore environmental factors, leading to biological reductionism
-twins share the same environment, so upbringing may also contribute to OCD

Question 20

what did Pato et al find about the genetic explanation of OCD?

Answer 20

pato et al noted ghat while there is some genetic basis for OCD, there is insufficient understanding of the specific genetic mechanisms involved

Question 21

what is the biological approach to treating OCD?

Answer 21

it assumes that OCD is caused by low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood

Question 22

what happens when serotonin levels are low?

Answer 22

can cause mood imbalances such as feeling down or anxious leading to obsessive thoughts

Question 23

what type of drugs are used to increase serotonin levels?

Answer 23

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that help increase serotonin levels

Question 24

how do SSRIs work?

Answer 24

SSRIs prevent the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron, making more serotonin available in the synaptic cleft for better neurotransmission

Question 25

why are SSRIs called “selective”?

Answer 25

they mainly affect serotonin levels, not other neurotransmitter like dopamine

Question 26

what other drugs are used to treat OCD besides SSRIs?

Answer 26

benzodiazepines (BZs) are anti anxiety drugs that induce calm and reduce obsessive thoughts

Question 27

how do BZs work?

Answer 27

enhance transmission of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that control neuron hyperactivity associated with anxiety and stress

Question 28

strengths of drug therapy for OCD?

Answer 28

-cost effective and widely available, cheaper than other treatments like CBT
-positive impact on the economy by helping people return to works sooner

Question 29

research support for drug therapy effectiveness?

Answer 29

Greist et al conducted a meta-analysis showing drugs were more effective than placebos at reducing OCD symptoms

Question 30

limitations of drug therapy?

Answer 30

-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

Question 31

what did Goldacre (2013) find about drug trial results?

Answer 31

drug companies tend to selectively publish positive outcomes, which can be unethical and misrepresent the effectiveness of the drugs