Lecture 7 Textbook Flashcards
(36 cards)
What brain regions are involved in panic vs. generalized anxiety?
Panic: amygdala & brainstem; GAD: limbic system, especially bed nucleus of stria terminalis.
What is the core goal of CBT for GAD?
To reduce distorted cognitions and anxiety-related behaviors using relaxation and cognitive restructuring.
Why are benzodiazepines not ideal long-term for GAD?
They can cause dependence and are hard to taper.
Why is OCD no longer classified under anxiety in DSM-5?
OCD has unique symptoms, neurological roots (fronto-striatal circuits), and treatment responses.
Define obsessions and compulsions in OCD.
Obsessions: intrusive thoughts/images; Compulsions: actions to reduce distress.
Name two common compulsions in OCD.
Hand washing, checking, or mental rituals like counting.
DSM-5 criteria: How much time must obsessions/compulsions take for an OCD diagnosis?
More than 1 hour/day or cause significant impairment.
What are common OCD themes?
Contamination, symmetry, harm, religion, and aggression.
What does “insight” mean in OCD?
Awareness of how irrational the obsessions/compulsions are; varies among individuals.
What are the five primary types of OCD compulsive rituals?
Cleaning, checking, repeating, ordering/arranging, and counting.
What % of people with OCD experience both obsessions and compulsions?
Over 90%, and up to 98% when counting mental rituals.
When does OCD typically begin?
Late adolescence or early adulthood; earlier in boys than girls.
What disorders commonly co-occur with OCD?
Social anxiety, panic disorder, GAD, PTSD, and major depression.
What is the behavioral model explanation for OCD?
Rituals are reinforced because they reduce anxiety after a feared event.
What is the paradox of thought suppression in OCD?
Trying to suppress obsessions often increases their frequency.
What is “thought–action fusion”?
Believing that thinking about an action (e.g., harm) is morally or causally equivalent to doing it.
What cognitive biases are linked to OCD?
Attention to disturbing info, low memory confidence, poor inhibition of irrelevant input.
What does genetic research suggest about OCD?
It has a moderate genetic basis, especially for early-onset and tic-related forms.
What three brain regions are most involved in OCD?
Orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate cortex/gyrus, and caudate nucleus (part of basal ganglia).
What is the function of the cortico–basal–ganglionic–thalamic circuit in OCD?
It regulates urges and impulses. In OCD, dysfunction in this loop causes unwanted urges to dominate behavior.
How is serotonin involved in OCD?
Serotonin abnormalities are linked to OCD; drugs like clomipramine and fluoxetine target this system.
What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)?
A therapy where OCD patients are exposed to feared stimuli and prevented from performing their usual compulsions.
How effective is ERP treatment?
50–70% show improvement; 76% maintain it long-term.
What makes ERP effective?
Repeated exposure without rituals teaches that anxiety decreases naturally without compulsions.
