psychopathology - OCD

Question 1

describe + explain the behavioral characteristics of OCD (4)

Answer 1

A - compulsions
- Feel compelled to repeat a behavior, Eg hand washing, praying
- Reduce anxiety produced by obsession
- Eg compulsive hand washing reduces anxiety caused by obsession that you are covered in germs

B - avoidance
- Avoid situations that trigger anxiety

Question 2

describe + explain the emotional characteristics of OCD (6)

Answer 2

A - anxiety + distress
- Obsessive thoughts cause anxiety = overwhelming

B - accompanying depression - co-morbidity
- Anxiety accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities

C - guilt and disgust
- Irrational guilt over minor issues
- Disgust towards self or other things eg dirt

Question 3

describe and explain the cognitive characteristics of OCD (8)

Answer 3

A obsessive thoughts
- Recurring intrusive thoughts that create anxiety eg recurring though that u are contaminted w germs

B conitive coping strategies to help manage anxiety
- praying or meditating

C Aware that obsessions and compulsions are irrational
- but still experience catestrophic thoughts ab worst case scenario

D Hypervigilant
– maintain constant attention and alertness on potential hazard to do with their obsession

Question 4

what are the AO1 points for the biological approach to explaianing OCD ? (6)

Answer 4

1. candidate genes + stress diathesis model
2. polygenic
3. genetic variation
4. low serotonin lvls
5. abnormal functioning of lateral frontal lobes
6. abnormal functioning of left parahippocampal gyrus

Question 5

biological approach to explaining OCD: low serotonin lvls AO1 (2)

Answer 5

• Serotonin = regulate mood
• Low serotonin levels = low levels of mood related info transmitted across synapse = low mood

Question 6

biological approach to explaining OCD: abnormal functioning of lateral frontal lobe (2)

Answer 6

Responsible for logical thinking + decision making

Question 7

biological approach to explaining OCD: abnormal functioning of left parahippocampul gyrus (1)

Answer 7

Responsible for processing unpleasant emotions

Question 8

what are the AO3 points for the biological approach to explain OCD (NEURAL EXPLANATION) (3)

Answer 8

✅ antidepressants effective in reducing OCD symptoms
- Antidepressants act only on serotonin system

❌ co-morbidity (OCD + DEPRESSION)
- Disruption to serotonin system caused by OCD or depression?

❌ reductionist

• Ignores other factors e.g. cognitive factors
• Psychologists argue OCD can be learnt through classical conditioning and maintained by operant conditioning
• stimulus (eg dirt) is associated with anxiety (CC)
• person avoids dirt and continually washes their hands. reduces anxiety and negatively reinforces their compulsions. (OC)

Question 9

what are the AO3 poinmts for the gbiological approaxch to explaining OCD (GENETIC EXPLANATION) (3)

Answer 9

✅ supporting research – twin studies
- 68% of identical twins and 31% of non-identical twins experience OCD, which suggests a very strong genetic component.

❌ concordance rate not 100%
- Must be other (non-biological factor) influencing OCD

✅support for the stress diathesis model
- Research found that patients w OCD who had traumatic event in past had more severe OCD than those who didnt
support stress diathesis model

✅ research support - family studies
- A person with a family member diagnosed with OCD is 4x more likely to develop OCD themselves.

Question 10

describe how SSRI’s work (3)

Answer 10

• Prevent reabsorption + breakdown of serotonin
• Increased lvls of serotonin in synapse
• Continues to stimulate post synaptic neuron

Question 11

what is the dypical dosage of SSRI’s (2)

Answer 11

• 20mg
• 3-4 months daily use

Question 12

biological approach to treating OCD: combining SSRI’s with CBT AO1 point (2)

Answer 12

• Drugs reduce emotional symptoms eg anxiety, depression
• Patient can engage more effectively w CBT

Question 13

how do SNRI’s work ? (1)

Answer 13

increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline