OCD Flashcards
whats trichotillomania?
compulsive hair pulling
what is a hoarding disorder?
the compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything regardless of its valued
what is excoriation disorder?
compulsive skin picking
How much of the popultion has OCD?
2%
what are obsessions?
recurrent, persistent and unwelcome thoughts, impulses or images that are intrusive and cause distress
what are compulsions?
repetitive behaviour performed to suppress or reduce the distress caused by obsessions
what are some common obsessions?
contamination, loss of control, harm, superstition, unwanted sexual thoughts
what are some common compulsions?
washing and cleaning, repetition, checking, mental compulsions such as counting, ordering, arranging
what are the two elements of compulsions?
they’re repetitive and reduce anxiety
what are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
compulsions and avoidance
what are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
anxiety, distress, depression, guilt, distgust
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
obsession, cognitive coping strategies, excessive anxiety?
give examples of excessive anxiety
the sufferer is hyper-vigilant, tense, alert, worst scenarios imagined, recognise that obsessions and compulsions are not rational
what is the genetic explanation for OCD?
genes are involved in a person’s vulnerability to OCD
what was Lewis observation in the hereditary nature of OCD?
lewis observed that 37% of his patients with OCD also had parents with OCD and 21% had siblings with OCD, suggesting OCD runs in families
what is the Diathesis-stress model?
certain genes leave people more likely to suffer mental disorders but environmental stress is necessary to trigger the genes
what are candidate genes?
genes that create vulnerability to OCD and are often involved in the regulation of the serotonin system’s development
what is the gene implicated in the effective transport of serotonin across synapses
5HT1-D beta
why is OCD polygenic?
it is not caused by a single gene, instead, Taylor found that over 230 genes cause OCD and that many genes related to the action of dopamine and serotonin
what is the word for OCD having serval genes that cause it that are also different in different people?
aetiologically heterogeneous
what is co-morbidity?
when r more disorders are present at the same time
what is the evidence for the genetic explanation of OCD
Nestadt et l found that when reviewing twin studies 68% of monozygotic twins had OCD whilst only 31% of dizygotic twins shared OCD thus suggesting a genetic influence
what are the strengths of the genetic explanation for OCD?
antidepressants have been shown to reduce symptoms of OCD so serotonin is a contributing factor to OCD
Parkinsons had a biological basis and is associated with OCD suggesting there is a biological basis to OCD
what are the weaknesses of the genetic explanation of OCD?
we do not know what genes cause OCD every time so it has a low predictive value
cromer et al found that in a sample of OCD sufferers experience trauma and that the more trauma the more serve
methodological issues with twin studies
what is the neural explanation of OCD?
genes associated with OCD likely effect levels of neurotransmitters and structures in the brain
what is the role of serotonin in OCD
low levers of serotonin can affect moods and mental processes which can cause OC in some cases
what is the effect of impaired decision making systems?
some cases of OCD (hoarding disorders) are linked with impaired decision making associated with abnormal function of the lateral of the frontal lobes that are responsible for logical thinking and decision making
what evidence is there for the neural explanation for OCD?
there is evidence the left parahippocampal gyrus associated with unpleasant emotions functions abnormal in OCD
what are the strengths of the neural explanation for OCD?
removes the stigma of OCD due to the biological nature
antidepressants decrease symptoms of OCD and OCD is also associated with Parkinson’s so suggesting biological basis
what are the weaknesses of the neural explanation?
no one brin structure hs found to always play a role in OCD
causation vs result
no clear cause and effect
co-morbidity means depression may being treatment instead of OCD
what are SSRIs?
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
what do SSRIs do?
stop the reuptake of serotonin, increasing the level of serotonin in the synapse prolonging the stimulation of the post-synaptic neuron
how are drugs used with CBT to treat OCD?
the drugs reduce the emotional symptoms such as anxiety so the client can engage in CBT
what are Tricyclics?
stop the reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin but have more serve side effects than SSRIs
what are SNRIs?
serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
what are SNRIs and what do they do?
they stop the reuptake of S and N, reducing anxiety and can select what moods are affected with fewer side-effects
what are monoamine oxidase inhibitors?
inhibitors that stop the enzymes breaking down noradrenaline or serotonin
what are the risks of monoamine oxidase inhibitors?
very dangerous side effects when eating some foods
what are the strengths of drugs used to treat OCD?
they reduce symptoms by 70% and improve peoples lives
non-distuptive and cheaper than BT
what is the supporting evidence for drugs used to treat OCD?
Soomro et al reviewed placebo vs SSRI studies treating OCD and found that in all 17 studies SSRIs showed significantly better results
what are the weaknesses of the drugs used to treat OCD?
side-effects
several weeks to see improvements
unreliable evidence s some psychologists believe the evidence to be biased as it is sponsored by drug companies
may not be applicable for OCD following trauma as counselling may be more effective
what are some side effect of SSRIs?
indigestion, blurred vision, reduced libido, weight gain, insomnia, nausea
what drugs are used to treat OCD?
Tricyclics, SSRIs, SNRIs, monoamine oxidase inhibitors
