psychopathology - OCD

Question 1

what are behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 1

compulsive behaviour which is repetitive for example washing hands
Avoidance of situtaions that trigger anxiety

Question 2

emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 2

Unpleasent, intense anxious thoughts
Guilt and disgust
depression

Question 3

cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 3

Insight
cognitive stratergies to manage anxiety
obsessive thoughts

Question 4

what is the process of OCD?

Answer 4

obssesive though -> anxiety -> compulsive behaviour -> temporary relief -> repeat

Question 5

what is the basis of genetic explanations?

Answer 5

Genes make up chromosomes and consist of DNA which codes our physiological and psychological features. This is transmitted from parent to offspring.

Question 6

what is the genetic explanation for OCD?

Answer 6

• Genes are involved in individual vulnerability to OCD.
• Lewis observed that of his OCD patients 37 had parents with OCD.
• Candidate genes- 230 Genes have been identified to cause OCD.
• polygenic.
• aetiologically heterogenous.

Question 7

What does aetiologically heterogenous mean?

Answer 7

when one gene cause a disorder in one person but another gene cause the same disorder in a different person

Question 8

what is the basis of neurological explanations?

Answer 8

Neurologists hold the view that physical and psychological characteristics are determined by the behaviour of nervous system, the brain.

Question 9

what is the neural explanation of OCD?

Answer 9

Genes associated with OCD are likely to effect key neurotransmitters. For example, serotonin which is believed to help regulate mood. If a person has low serotonin levels, then normal levels of transmission do not take place, so mood is affected SUCH THAT THEYRE MORE ANXCIOUS

Question 10

Also, a part of neural explanation- how is impaired decision making associated with OCD?

Answer 10

Some OCD is associated with impaired decision making. This can be associated with abnormal activity in the lateral frontal lobes which are responsible for logical thinking. The area parahippocampul gyrus is also associated with the process of unpleasant emotions in OCD.

Question 11

what part of the brain is responsible for logical thinking

Answer 11

lateral frontal lobes

Question 12

what part of the brain is responsible for unpleasant emotions?

Answer 12

parahippocampul gyrus

Question 13

what neurotransmitter regulates mood and is linked to OCD

Answer 13

serotonin

Question 14

What does SSRI stand for?

Answer 14

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Question 15

How do SSRIs work?

Answer 15

standard treatment for OCD. Serotonin is released by specific neurons in the brain. The neurotransmitters is released from pre-synaptic neuron and travels across the synapse to bind to the receptor sites on the post-synaptic neuron. It is then reabsorbed by the pre-synaptic neuron where it broken down to be reused. The SSRIs prevent the re-absorption of serotonin increasing its levels in the synapse and continuing to stimulate post-synaptic neuron. This increases serotonin levels and thus mood.

Question 16

what is the standard daily does of drug teatment for OCD?

Answer 16

20g of fluoxetine

Question 17

how long does it take for SSRIs begin to be effective?

Answer 17

it usually takes 3-4 months to become effective

Question 18

what are SNRIs?

Answer 18

Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor - These are for people who don’t respond to SSRIs it increases serotonin and noradrenaline.

Question 19

what is the older anti-depressant and why don’t we use it?

Answer 19

Tricyclics - has more side-effects- last resort

Question 20

what are the strengths of the genetic explanation for OCD?

Answer 20

• Research support- Nestadt reviewed twin studies and found that 68% of twins shared OCD as opposed to 31% of non-identical. Suggests a genetic influence.
• Research support – Lewis 37% of his OCD patients had parents with OCD.

Question 21

what are the weaknesses of the genetic explanation for OCD?

Answer 21

• There is up to 230 candidate genes for OCD this reduces predictive validity because we cannot be sure that one gene will ensue a person has OCD. Less useful.
  deterministic
  reductionist

Question 22

Evaluate the neural explanation for OCD?

Answer 22

• There is a problem with causation. Whilst we have found that patients with OCD have lower serotonin levels this is a correlation. We cannot be sure this causes OCD or OCD causes this limit of serotonin.
• Practical application – Drug therapy. Because we know low serotonin levels is linked with OCD, we can help people live with it by increasing serotonin uptake in the synapses.
• deterministic
• REDUCTIONIST

Question 23

general limitations of biological approach to OCD?

Answer 23

• Cromer found that over half of OCD patients had a traumatic event suggesting environmental factors have a roll in OCD.
• Biologically Reductionist- reduces people to biology when environmental factors can also have a role

Question 24

strengths of drug therapy?

Answer 24

• Evidence for effectiveness in improving lives. Soomro reviewed studies comparing placebos to SSRIs and concluded that all 17 had better results in SSRIs. Symptoms decline in 70% of people taking drug.
• Cheap and not disruptive of life

Question 25

weaknesses of drug therapy?

Answer 25

• Can have side effects – low libido, blurred vision, and indigestion. Extreme side effects can be weight change tremors. This decreases effectiveness because people stop taking them.
• Drug therapy cannot be treatment for all people since trauma can also caused OCD.
• Unreliable evidence for OCD by biased drug companies