Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

Question 1

3 Types of characteristics

Answer 1

• behavioural
• emotional
• cognitive

Question 2

OCD DSM-5 categories

Answer 2

• in common is repetitive behaviour accompanied by obsessive thinking
• OCD - obsessions and compulsions
• Trichotillomania - compulsive hair-pulling
• hoarding disorder
• Excoriation disorder - compulsive skin-picking

Question 3

Behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 3

• Avoidance - reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it
  
  • Example - avoid coming into contact with germs
• Compulsions - Repetitive - compelled to repeat behaviour
  
  • Example - hand-washing, counting
• Compulsions - Reduce anxiety - irrational anxiety, attempt to manage anxiety produced by obsessions
  
  • Example - compulsive checking, a door is locked

Question 4

Emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 4

• Anxiety and Distress - accompanies both obsessions and compulsions
• Accompanying depression - anxiety can be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment
• Guilt and Disgust - irrational guilt may be directed against something external, example - minor moral issues or dirt or the self

Question 5

Cognitive Characteristics of OCD

Answer 5

• Obsessive thoughts - vary but are always unpleasant
  
  • Examples - worries of being contaminated by dirt/germs
• Cognitive coping strategies - used to deal with obsessions, may appear abnormal but manage anxiety
  
  • Examples - praying or meditating
• Insight into excessive anxiety - aware compulsions and obsessions are not rational, thoughts on worst case scenarios
  
  • Example - maintain constant alertness on potential hazards

Question 6

what type of explanation for OCD

Answer 6

• biological explanation

Question 7

2 biological explanations of OCD

Answer 7

• genetic
• neural

Question 8

Genetic explanation

Answer 8

• involved in individual vulnerability
• diathesis- stress model
• candidate genes
• polygenic
• differenet types of OCD

Question 9

Neural explanation

Answer 9

• role of serotonin
• decision-making systems

Question 10

Genetic explanation - candidate genes

Answer 10

• genes that create vulnerability for OCD
• some of these genes are involved in regulating development of serotonin