OCD

Question 1

Symptoms

Answer 1

Anxiety disorder made up of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (tasks to relieve anxiety)

Question 2

Prevalence and onset

Answer 2

1.1 - 1.8%

Females > males

25% men before 10

More frequent in those who suffered physical/sexual abuse

More common in those who develop negative emotionality

Question 3

Biological explanation

Answer 3

Neuroanatomical

Orbitofrontal cortex loop

Orbitofrontal cortex -> caudate nucleus -> globus pallidus fibres -> thalamus -> cingulate gyrus

Caudate nucleus overactive impedes dampening function of fibres, cascade reaction

Question 4

Non-biological explanation

Answer 4

Psychological explanation
Faulty cognitive processes

Cognitive appraisal
Negative belief system (world full of threats)
Low memory confidence
Hypervigilance (constantly scanning environment for threats)

Question 5

Biological treatment

Answer 5

Drugs

SSRI
BZ
BB

None specifically for OCD

Question 6

Psychological treatment

Answer 6

CBT

Identify beliefs that follow obsessions (if I don’t turn the light switch off 10 times my family will die)
Assess the likelihood of beliefs coming true (challenge with evidence)
Explain an explanation such as Neuroanatomical -> only temp relief

ERP