OCD

Question 1

Behavioural characteristics

Answer 1

• avoidance-can hinder everyday life
• compulsions-suffers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a certain behaviour. Compulsive behaviours are performed to reduce anxiety

Question 2

Emotional characteristics

Answer 2

• Anxiety and distress

- depression

Question 3

Cognitive characteristics

Answer 3

• obsessive thoughts

- coping strategies

Question 4

Cycle of OCD

Answer 4

Obsessive thought-anxiety-compulsion-temporary relief

Question 5

Genetic reasons

Answer 5

• polygenic-caused by multiple genes
• COMT gene-regulates the amount of dopamine-when the COMT gene is not as active too much dopamine is produced
• SERT gene-transportation of serotonin. Mutation led to not bright serotonin

Question 6

Neural explanations

Answer 6

• Dopamine levels too high- responsible for motivation and movement
• serotonin level too low-lowered mood and increased anxiety
• caudate nucleus is damaged meanings cannot suppress signals that aren’t major so the thalamus is constantly alerted by the orbifrontal cortex