Psychopathology Flashcards
What is statistical infrequency?
statistical data that is used to diagnose things like IDD
What are the additional evaluation points for phobias? (3)
- there are ignored cognitive aspects
- there has been cases of symptom substitution
- some phobias are innate, not learned behaviours
What is the biological explanation of OCD? (6)
- OCD has a strong biological component and has been known to run in families
- candidate genes have been identified that cause genetic vulnerability
- OCD is polygenic
- serotonin regulates mood and so some cases of OCD have been explained by a reduction in the functioning of the serotonin system in the brain
- some OCD can be associated with impaired decision making
- environmental factors can trigger OCD
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD? (3)
anxiety & distress, depression, guilt & disgust
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD? (2)
compulsions and avoidance
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD? (3)
obsessive guilt, cognitive strategies, excessive anxiety
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?(3)
panic, avoidance, endurance
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias? (2)
anxiety, unreasonable responses
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias? (3)
selective attention, irrational beliefs, cognitive distortions
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression? (3)
anxiety, disruption to sleep & eating, aggression & self-harm
What are the emotional characteristics of depression? (3)
low mood, anger, low self-esteem
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression? (3)
poor concentration, dwelling on the negative, absolutist thinking
Evaluation points for behavioural explanations of phobias
- good explanatory power
- alternative explanation to avoidance behaviour
- incomplete explanation of phobias
What is the diathesis-stress model?
inherited genes predispose people to certain genetic conditions like OCD but an environmental stressor is needed to trigger it
What is the identified candidate gene for OCD?
5H1-D beta - implicated in the efficiency of transport of serotonin across the synapse
What did Taylor’s meta analysis find about the candidate genes involved in 0CD?
There are up to 230 different genes involved
What is the biological treatment for OCD?
Drug treatments - SSRIs or tricyclics
What are SSRIs?
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors - an anti-depressant drug that prevents the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin, so increases levels in the synapse and continues to stimulate post-synaptic neurons to compensate for the low levels.
What other treatments are used to treat OCD?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
What are the alternative to SSRIs for treating OCD?
Tricyclics - have the same effect on the serotonin system as SSRIs but have more severe side effects so is generally reserved for those who do not respond well to SSRIs
What are the evaluation points for treatments of OCD?
- drug therapy is effective t tackling OCD symptoms
- drugs are cost-effective and non-disruptive
- drugs can have side effects
