Psychopathology: OCD Flashcards
OCD =
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Cognitive characteristics of OCD include
- Obsessive thoughts
- Cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions
- Insight into excessive anxiety
Emotional characteristics of OCD include
- Accompanied depression
- Anxiety and Distress
- Guilt and Disgust
Behavioural characteristics of OCD include
Compulsions
repetitive to reduce anxiety
Which approach explains OCD
Biological
Outline the Biological approach to Explaining OCD:
- Genetic Explanations
- Neural Explanations
Outline the Biological approach to Explaining OCD:
- Genetic Explanations
- Candidate genes 5HT1-D beta
- OCD is polygenic (multiple genes0
- Different types of OCD (diff combinations of genes)
Outline the Biological approach to Explaining OCD:
- Neural Explanations
- Lowered serotonin, lowered transmission of information, mental processes affected
- Frontal lobes (decision making systems) effected
Evaluate Genetic explanations of OCD
+ Supporting evidence (Nestadt)
- Too many candidate genes (not useful)
- Limited (doesn’t account for environment)
- Twin studies flawed
Evaluate Neural Explanations of OCD
+ Supporting evidence
- Multiple neural mechanisms involved
- Correlation not causation
Outline The biological approach to treating OCD
Drug therapy:
- SSRI’s
- SSRI’s and CBT
- Tricyclics and SNRI’s
How do SSRI’s work to treat OCD
Selective serotonin reuptake:
Prevent reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin increase levels that stimulate post synaptic neutron
Evaluate Biological approach to treating OCD:
+ Effective
+ Drugs are cost effective
- Gets rid of symptoms but not OCD
- Drugs can have bad side effects
