OCD Flashcards
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD
Repetitive compulsions, avoidance
What is repetitive compulsions
Feeling compelled to repeat a behaviour.
What is avoidance
Purposefully keeping away from situations that trigger them.
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD
Accompanying depressions, Anxiety and stress, Guilt
What is anxiety and distress
An unpleasant state of high arousal caused by the urge to repeat a behaviour
What is accompanying depression
Low mood and a lack of enjoyment.
What is guilt
Feel guilt directed at themselves.
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD
Obsessive thoughts, insight
What are obsessive thoughts
Unpleasant thoughts occurring over and over again
What is insight
Being aware that their obsessions are not rational.
What are the genetic explanations of OCD
It is inherited,
It involves candidate genes,
It is polygenic
It is aetiologically heterogeneous
What are candidate genes
Specific genes that create a vulnerability to OCD such as SERT or COMT
What is polygenic
Having multiple genes,
Taylor predicted over 230 genes were involved in OCD
What is aetiologically heterogeneous
Having different causes and variations of genes, repetitive handwashing genes are different to repetitive light switch flicking genes.
Family studies support of genetic theories of OCD
Family studies showed 37% of patients with OCD had parents with the disorder and 21% had siblings with it.
Twin studies supporting genetic theory of OCD
68% of monozygotic twins were both diagnosed with OCD, compared to 31% of dizygotic twins.
Cromer study of OCD
Found over 50% of OCD is caused by the environment, and those with past trauma had a more severe case of OCD.
What are the neural explanations of OCD
Para hippocampal gyrus faulty on left side
Frontal lobe is impaired
Reduces serotonin
Excessive dopamine
What does a faulty left para hippocampal gyrus do
Increases processing of unpleasant emotions, leading to characteristics such as guilt and disgust.
What does an impaired frontal lobe do
Causes overactive decision making that leads to repetitive compulsions
What does reduced seratonin do
Reduced in synapse causing accompanying depression
What does excessive dopamine do
Need for reward causes repetitive compulsions
Issues of causation OCD
Changes in the brain can cause OCD or be due to OCD.
What does SSRIs stand for
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
How do SSRIs work
Correct imbalance of neurotransmitters by blocking reabsorption, increasing serotonin levels and stimulating the post-synaptic neuron.
How is OCD treatment taken
SSRIs are taken orally in pill form (20mg a day).
it takes 3-4 months for benefits to show,
for example, fluoxetine.
What are alternatives of SSRIs
Tricyclics such as Clomipramine have stronger effects than SSRIs, but worse side effects
What are the side effects of SSRISs
Indigestion, blurred vision, aggression, weight gain, loss of sex drive
What do side effects of SSRIs mean
Less people are willing to take them, reducing the treatment’s effectiveness.
How are SSRIs non disruptive
They are low effort as they don’t interfere with everyday life like therapy might.
How are SSRIs cost effective
Cheaper than hospitals, therapists or appointments.
