OCD Flashcards
What is an obsession
Recurrent and persistent thought which are intrusive and unwanted and leads to anxiety and distress it’s an internal persistent thought
What is a compulsion
Repetitive behaviour or mental act done in response to obsession reduces anxiety and it’s excessive and unrealistic repetitive external behaviour
What are the though cognitive characteristics
Recurrent persistent thoughts suffers experiences constant repetitive thoughts images and ideas and intrusive uncontrollable thoughts and causes distress
the thoughts are often unrealistic and irrationsl andthey understand their thought is rrational but think of the worst case scenoario if anxiety was justified
What are behaviour characteristics
The suffer feels compelled to carry out an act to reduce anxiety as a response to obsessive thoughts areas and images
this decreases the anxiety as they have performed the compulsion
What is emotional characteristics in terms of emotional and stress
Anxiety and stress and obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening and causes anxiety and cause the urge to repeat behaviour
the thoughts lead to feeling of self guilt and disgust
What is the genetic reason
Genes are transmitted from your parents some genes increase the likelihood of developing ice these are called candidate genes they code for a gene called 5htt gene it affects neurotransmitter and less neurotransmitters in the synapse results in less task inhibition Oswaki found that 6/7 who had the 5 hit gene had ocd Taylor ye al found that over more that 230 genes can code for ocd
What is the neural explanation
Some neurotransmitters such as serotonin affect the task repetition mechanism a decrease in serotonin prevents the impulses being passed on which inhibits task repetition pigging et al found that antidepressant decreases the symptoms of ocd as more serotonin produce which allows task ingibition
What is the brain abnormality explanation
In a normal brain there is a worry signal produces and passes from the ofc to the basal ganglia these worry signals are then suppressed in the basal ganglia if they are minor if they are major the worry signals are allowed through to the thalamus which produce a worry response howeve in those which ocd the basal ganaia is extremely hypersensitive which doesn’t suppress minor signals and allow them to pass through to the thalamus and creating a worry circuit
What is the ssris treatment
Ssris are used to increase amount of serotonin in the synapse itprevent the reputable in the preswynaptic Neuton so more neutotransmitters are in the junction and can bind to the receptors and transmit an. Electrical impulse which can inhibit task repetition
What are tricyclics
They are drugs given when ssris haven’t been effective they are less selective and prevent reputable of serotonin and noneardrenalone mor wow left in the synaptic junction so more easily bing the receptions as they also remain longer in the synapse makes it easier for electrical impulses to be transmitted which increase task inhibition
