OCD Flashcards
define OCD
defined by obsessions - constant intrusive thoughts that cause high anxiety and compulsions - behavioural response to deal with invasive thought process
what are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
compulsions
avoidance behaviour
behavioural characteristics of OCD: compulsions
repetitive and intrusive thoughts focused around the stimulus which reduce anxiety through being a method of acting upon obsessive thoughts
behavioural characteristics of OCD: avoidance behaviour
negatively reinforced through classical conditioning
individual who avoids the specific stimulus will avoid the anxiety associated with having to carry out compulsive behaviours and suffer from obsessive thoughts
may lead to social withdrawal if going out triggers obsessions and compulsions
what are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
guilt and disgust
depression
anxiety
emotional characteristic of OCD: guilt and disgust
feelings of guilt and disgust
emotional characteristic of OCD: depression
due to the constant compulsion to carry out compulsive/repetitive behaviours which often interfere with day to day functioning and relationships
emotional characteristic of OCD: anxiety
associated with the acknowledgement that the obsessive thoughts are irrational, but despair at the fact that they will always lead to compulsive behaviours
what are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
obsessions
hypervigilance
selective attention
cognitive characteristics of OCD: obsessions
intrusive, irrational, recurrent thoughts lead to unpleasant, catastrophic thoughts about potential danger
cognitive characteristics of OCD: hypervigilance
permanent state of alertness
constantly looking for source of obsessive thoughts
cognitive characteristics of OCD: selective attention
constant focus on objects connected to obsession so much they cannot focus on other things in environment or conversations
biological approach to explaining OCD
diathesis-stress model suggests that some have a genetic vulnerability towards developing depression - Lewis et al
OCD is polygenic and is associated with the functioning of neurotransmitters involved in regulating mood
explain the genetic explanation of OCD
its thought a predisposition to OCD is inherited from parents
researchers identified candidate genes which increase a person’s vulnerability towards developing OCD by influencing the functioning of neural systems in the brain e.g. the SERT gene affects reuptake in the serotonin system and 5HT1-D beta
OCD is polygenic so a predisposition to OCD requires a range of genetic changes
explain the neural explanation of OCD - serotonin
low serotonin levels are thought to cause obsessive thoughts as reuptake happens too quickly so there are low levels of serotonin in the synapse
the SERT gene is responsible for serotonin transportation in the synapse
explain the neural explanation for OCD - neural structures
if the basal ganglia is hyperactive, this allows minor worries from the orbitofrontal cortex to get to the thalamus and back to the OFC causing a loop of recurring obsessive thoughts which damages the rational decision making part of the brain
strengths of the diathesis-stress model
supporting evidence - Nestadt et al found that 68% of identical twins share OCD compared to 31% of non-identical twins
suggesting there is a genetic basis for this disease
weaknesses of the diathesis-stress model
too many candidate genes - difficult to assess which candidate genes have the greatest influence and so which genes drug treatments should target
ignores environmental factors - Cromer et al found that over half of OCD patients experienced trauma that triggered their OCD
the biological approach to treating OCD
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) act on the serotonin system by preventing the reuptake and breaking down of serotonin by the presynaptic neuron. thus, the concentration of serotonin within the synapse increases, causing the post-synaptic neuron to be continually stimulated
tricyclics have a similar effect but are reserved for those who do not respond well to SSRIs. selective noradrenaline-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) increase the concentration of the noradrenaline neurotransmitter in the brain
strengths of drug therapy
cost-benefit analysis - increased knowledge about the effectiveness of certain drug treatments for OCD and cognitive treatments can reduce the time people take off sick increasing the productivity of the workforce - cost-effectiveness of treatments of OCD can help save the NHS money
cost-effective and non-disruptive
cheap compared to other treatments
patients can lead a normal life
weaknesses of drug therapy
serious side effect - e.g. increased heart rate and aggressiveness which can have serious implications to everyday life
obsession
a persistent thought, idea, impulse or image that experienced repeatedly, feels intrusive and causes anxiety
compulsion
a repetitive and rigid behaviour or mental act that a person feels driven to perform in order to prevent or reduce anxiety
DSM recognised disorders
OCD - characterised by obsessions and/or compulsions
trichotillomania - compulsive hair pulling
hoarding disorder - the compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything regardless of its value
excoriation disorder - compulsive skin picking
