Psychopathology: OCD Flashcards
Behavioural characteristics of OCD
compulsions
avoidance
What are compulsions?
same behaviour repeated in a ritualistic way to reduce anxiety
Why is avoidance a behavioural characteristic of OCD
OCD managed by avoiding situation that triggers anxiety
Cognitive characteristics of OCD
Obsessive thoughts
Insight into excessive anxiety
What are obsessive thoughts?
Persistent thoughts which cause anxiety
90% of OCD sufferers have them
What is meant by insight into excessive anxiety?
awareness thoughts and behaviours are irrational, but sufferer still hypervigilant
Emotional characteristics of OCD
guilt & disgust
anxiety & distress
Guilt & disgust
irrational guilt e.g. over a moral issue
disgust towards oneself
Anxiety & distress
obsessive thoughts are unpleasant + frightening
Anxiety from thoughts = overwhelming
Genetic explanation for OCD
candidate genes
polygenic
Aeitologically heterogeneous
What is the genetic explanation?
OCD development due to individuals genes
Candidate genes
specific genes linked to certain disorders
Examples of candidate genes
5-HT1 beta
SERT gene
COMT gene
5-HT1 beta
implicated in the efficiency of transport of serotonin (SERT gene) across synapse
COMT gene
regulates dopamine production
OCD is polygenic
OCD is not caused by one gene, but several
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
aeitologically heterogenous
one group of genes may cause OCD in one person, but another group of genes may cause OCD in another
Neural explanations
Low levels of serotonin = lower mood
abnormal functioning of frontal lobes
abnormal functioning of parahippocampal gyrus
low levels of serotonin mean
lower mood
parahippocampul gyrus is associated with what?
processing unpleasant emotions
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
