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Psychology: Paper 1 > Psychopathology: OCD > Flashcards

Psychopathology: OCD Flashcards

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1
Q

Behavioural characteristics of OCD

A

compulsions

avoidance

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2
Q

What are compulsions?

A

same behaviour repeated in a ritualistic way to reduce anxiety

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3
Q

Why is avoidance a behavioural characteristic of OCD

A

OCD managed by avoiding situation that triggers anxiety

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4
Q

Cognitive characteristics of OCD

A

Obsessive thoughts

Insight into excessive anxiety

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5
Q

What are obsessive thoughts?

A

Persistent thoughts which cause anxiety

90% of OCD sufferers have them

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6
Q

What is meant by insight into excessive anxiety?

A

awareness thoughts and behaviours are irrational, but sufferer still hypervigilant

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7
Q

Emotional characteristics of OCD

A

guilt & disgust

anxiety & distress

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8
Q

Guilt & disgust

A

irrational guilt e.g. over a moral issue

disgust towards oneself

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9
Q

Anxiety & distress

A

obsessive thoughts are unpleasant + frightening

Anxiety from thoughts = overwhelming

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10
Q

Genetic explanation for OCD

A

candidate genes
polygenic
Aeitologically heterogeneous

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11
Q

What is the genetic explanation?

A

OCD development due to individuals genes

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12
Q

Candidate genes

A

specific genes linked to certain disorders

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13
Q

Examples of candidate genes

A

5-HT1 beta
SERT gene
COMT gene

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14
Q

5-HT1 beta

A

implicated in the efficiency of transport of serotonin (SERT gene) across synapse

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15
Q

COMT gene

A

regulates dopamine production

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16
Q

OCD is polygenic

A

OCD is not caused by one gene, but several

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17
Q

Polygenic support - Taylor et al

A

Found evidence up to 230 genes may be involved in OCD

Genes related to OCD are associated w/ action of serotonin and dopamine

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18
Q

aeitologically heterogenous

A

one group of genes may cause OCD in one person, but another group of genes may cause OCD in another

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19
Q

Neural explanations

A

Low levels of serotonin = lower mood
abnormal functioning of frontal lobes
abnormal functioning of parahippocampal gyrus

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20
Q

low levels of serotonin mean

A

lower mood

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21
Q

parahippocampul gyrus is associated with what?

A

processing unpleasant emotions

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22
Q

what functions abnormally in people with OCD?

A

frontal lobes

parahippocampul gyrus

23
Q

frontal lobes role

A

decision making

24
Q

A03: biological explanation disadvantage

A

reductionist
E.g. low lvls of serotonin causes OCD
ignores factors such as childhood experiences

25
Q

A03: Cromer et al

A

found over half of OCD patients in his sample suffered a traumatic event in their past
suggets OCD not entirely genetic origin

26
Q

A03: Nestadt 2010

A

twin study
MZ twins: 68% experience OCD
DZ twins: 31% experience OCD
suggests strong genetic component

27
Q

A03: Nestadt 2010

A

twin study
MZ twins: 68% experience OCD
DZ twins: 31% experience OCD

28
Q

A03: What does Nestadt’s review of twin studies suggest?

A

Suggests strong genetic component bc MZ twins share same genes, more likely to share characteristics of OCD

29
Q

A03: Against twin studies

A

unsure of genes involved in OCD
each genetic variation increases risk of OCD by a fraction
genetic explanations aren’t useful - little predictive power

30
Q

What do antidepressant drugs do?

A

Increase levels of serotonin, because low lvls are associated with OCD

31
Q

SSRI

A

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

An antidepressant used to treat OCD symptoms

32
Q

How do SSRI’s effect serotonin?

A

Increase lvls of serotonin in brain

Block reabsorption of serotonin, therefore more passes into postsynaptic neuron - continues stimulating

33
Q

Typical SSRI dosage?

A

20mg

34
Q

Type of SSRI

A

Fluxoetine

35
Q

how does the SSRI Fluxoetine work?

A

blocks reuptake
more serotonin available in synapse
continues to stimulate post-synaptic neuron

36
Q

What can SSRI’s be combined with?

A

Other treatments

37
Q

Why are drugs used alongside psychological treatments like OCD?

A

Drug reduces emotional symptoms so patient engages better w/ psychological treatments

38
Q

Alternatives to SSRI’s

A

Tricyclics

SNRI’s

39
Q

When are alternatives to SSRI’s considered?

A

After 3-4 months

40
Q

When is dosage of SSRI increased?

A

If SSRI isn’t effective after 3 - 4 months

41
Q

What happens if SSRI isn’t effective?

A

dosage increase or combine with other drugs

42
Q

Tricyclics

A

Same effect on serotonin system but more side effects

43
Q

Tricyclic drug

A

Clomipramine

44
Q

SNRI’s

A

used on patients who don’t respond well to SSRI’s

45
Q

What do SNRI’s do?

A

increase lvls of serotonin and noradrenaline

46
Q

A03: Somoro et al (2009) procedure

A

Reviewed studies comparing SSRI’s to placebos

47
Q

A03: Somoro et al (2009) findings

A

SSRI’s showed better results (70% more effective) in comparison to placebos
Effectiveness greatest when drugs + psychological treatment

48
Q

A03: Side effects

A

Clomipramine side effects more common and serious

Reduce effectiveness bc people stop taking medication

49
Q

A03: Clomipramine 1 in 10 suffer….

A

erection problems
weight gain
tremors

50
Q

A03: Clomipramine 1 in 100 suffer…..

A

disruption to blood pressure and heart rhythm

51
Q

A03: source giving side effects of Clomipramine

A

www.NHS.co.uk

52
Q

A03: drugs non-disruptive and cost-effective

A

relevant bc using drug treatments = good value to public health systems like NHS.

53
Q

A03: SSRI’s vs therapy

A

SSRI non-disruptive to peoples lives

Psychology: Paper 1 (18 decks)

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