Psychopathology: OCD Flashcards by Michelle Obispo

Behavioural characteristics of OCD

compulsions

avoidance

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What are compulsions?

same behaviour repeated in a ritualistic way to reduce anxiety

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Why is avoidance a behavioural characteristic of OCD

OCD managed by avoiding situation that triggers anxiety

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Cognitive characteristics of OCD

Obsessive thoughts

Insight into excessive anxiety

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What are obsessive thoughts?

Persistent thoughts which cause anxiety

90% of OCD sufferers have them

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What is meant by insight into excessive anxiety?

awareness thoughts and behaviours are irrational, but sufferer still hypervigilant

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Emotional characteristics of OCD

guilt & disgust

anxiety & distress

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Guilt & disgust

irrational guilt e.g. over a moral issue

disgust towards oneself

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Anxiety & distress

obsessive thoughts are unpleasant + frightening

Anxiety from thoughts = overwhelming

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Genetic explanation for OCD

candidate genes
polygenic
Aeitologically heterogeneous

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What is the genetic explanation?

OCD development due to individuals genes

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Candidate genes

specific genes linked to certain disorders

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Examples of candidate genes

5-HT1 beta
SERT gene
COMT gene

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5-HT1 beta

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

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COMT gene

regulates dopamine production

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OCD is polygenic

OCD is not caused by one gene, but several

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Polygenic support - Taylor et al

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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aeitologically heterogenous

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

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Neural explanations

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

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low levels of serotonin mean

lower mood

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parahippocampul gyrus is associated with what?

processing unpleasant emotions

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what functions abnormally in people with OCD?

frontal lobes

parahippocampul gyrus

frontal lobes role

decision making

A03: biological explanation disadvantage

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

A03: Cromer et al

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

A03: Nestadt 2010

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

A03: Nestadt 2010

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

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

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

A03: Against twin studies

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

What do antidepressant drugs do?

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

SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | An antidepressant used to treat OCD symptoms

How do SSRI's effect serotonin?

Increase lvls of serotonin in brain | Block reabsorption of serotonin, therefore more passes into postsynaptic neuron - continues stimulating

Typical SSRI dosage?

20mg

Type of SSRI

Fluxoetine

how does the SSRI Fluxoetine work?

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

What can SSRI's be combined with?

Other treatments

Why are drugs used alongside psychological treatments like OCD?

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

Alternatives to SSRI's

Tricyclics | SNRI's

When are alternatives to SSRI's considered?

After 3-4 months

When is dosage of SSRI increased?

If SSRI isn't effective after 3 - 4 months

What happens if SSRI isn't effective?

dosage increase or combine with other drugs

Tricyclics

Same effect on serotonin system but more side effects

Tricyclic drug

Clomipramine

SNRI's

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

What do SNRI's do?

increase lvls of serotonin and noradrenaline

A03: Somoro et al (2009) procedure

Reviewed studies comparing SSRI's to placebos

A03: Somoro et al (2009) findings

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

A03: Side effects

Clomipramine side effects more common and serious | Reduce effectiveness bc people stop taking medication

A03: Clomipramine 1 in 10 suffer....

erection problems weight gain tremors

A03: Clomipramine 1 in 100 suffer.....

disruption to blood pressure and heart rhythm

A03: source giving side effects of Clomipramine

www.NHS.co.uk

A03: drugs non-disruptive and cost-effective

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

A03: SSRI's vs therapy

SSRI non-disruptive to peoples lives