OCD

Question 1

What is the DSM-5 definition of OCD?

Answer 1

OCD is characterized by obsessions (recurrent thoughts, images, etc.) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviors such as handwashing).

Question 2

What are obsessions in OCD?

Answer 2

Cognitive processes involving recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and cause anxiety.

Question 3

What are compulsions in OCD?

Answer 3

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared event.

Question 4

How do compulsions reduce anxiety in OCD?

Answer 4

Compulsions are performed in response to obsessions to reduce the anxiety associated with them.

Question 5

What emotional characteristics are common in OCD?

Answer 5

Anxiety, distress, depression, guilt, and disgust.

Question 6

What is a key cognitive characteristic of OCD?

Answer 6

Obsessive thoughts such as fear of contamination or doubt about locking doors.

Question 7

What is “insight into excessive anxiety” in OCD?

Answer 7

Awareness that obsessions and compulsions are irrational, but the person still feels compelled to perform them.

Question 8

What is a common behavioral characteristic of OCD?

Answer 8

Avoidance of situations that might trigger obsessions or compulsions, such as avoiding public places to prevent contamination.

Question 9

What is the cycle of OCD?

Answer 9

Obsessive thought → Anxiety → Compulsive behavior → Temporary relief → Repeat.

Question 10

Biological approach

Answer 10

Emphasizes the role of biological processes, including genetics and brain function, in behavior.

Question 11

Genetic explanations

Answer 11

Focus on the influence of inherited genes on behavior. Genes determine characteristics like serotonin system regulation.

Question 12

Neural explanations:

Answer 12

Focus on the role of the nervous system, including brain structures and neurotransmitters, in behavior.

Question 13

How do genetic factors contribute to OCD?

Answer 13

Candidate genes
Polygenic nature
Aetiologically heterogeneous

Question 14

What are the neural explanations for OCD?

Answer 14

Role of serotonin
Decision-making systems

Question 15

What research supports the genetic explanation of OCD?

Answer 15

Twin studies:
Nestadt et al. (2010): 68% concordance rate for OCD in MZ twins vs. 31% in DZ twins.
Family studies:
Marini and Stebnicki (2012)
First-degree relatives of OCD patients are more likely to develop OCD.

Question 16

What are the limitations of genetic explanations of OCD?

Answer 16

Environmental risk factors: Genetic vulnerability is not the sole cause; environmental factors like trauma also play a role (Cromer et al., 2007).

Question 17

What supports the neural explanation of OCD?

Answer 17

Research support:
Antidepressants targeting serotonin reduce OCD symptoms, showing serotonin’s role.
Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s involve similar biological mechanisms.
Scientific credibility: Evidence from brain imaging and neurotransmitter studies.

Question 18

What are the criticisms of the neural explanation of OCD?

Answer 18

Correlation vs. causation: Brain abnormalities may result from OCD rather than cause it.
Non-unique neural system: Disruption in serotonin systems occurs in other conditions, questioning its specificity to OCD.

Question 19

What are candidate genes in OCD?

Answer 19

Genes that create vulnerability, e.g., SERT and 5HT-1 beta, linked to serotonin regulation.

Question 20

What does “OCD is polygenic” mean?

Answer 20

OCD involves multiple genes, with up to 230 implicated.

Question 21

What brain regions are linked to OCD in neural explanations?

Answer 21

Lateral frontal lobes (decision-making) and parahippocampal gyrus (emotions).

Question 22

How does serotonin affect OCD?

Answer 22

Low serotonin impairs mood regulation and increases OCD symptoms.

Question 23

Define “aetiologically heterogeneous.”

Answer 23

Different genes cause OCD in different individuals, leading to symptom variations.

Question 24

What is the biological approach to decision-making in OCD?

Answer 24

Dysfunction in the lateral frontal lobes affects logical thinking and decisions.

Question 25

What is the "diathesis-stress model" in OCD?

Answer 25

Genes predispose individuals to OCD, but stress triggers its onset.

Question 26

What is drug therapy in the context of OCD treatment?

Answer 26

Treatment involving drugs that affect the functioning of the brain or body system, usually targeting abnormal neurotransmitter levels in psychological disorders such as OCD

Question 27

What neurotransmitter is primarily targeted in the biological treatment of OCD?

Answer 27

Serotonin.

Question 28

What is the main type of antidepressant used to treat OCD?

Answer 28

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Question 29

How do SSRIs work in treating OCD?

Answer 29

SSRIs prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin, increasing its levels in the synapse and continuing to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 30

What are SNRIs, and how do they work?

Answer 30

Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) increase serotonin levels and another neurotransmitter, noradrenaline. They are used for people who don’t respond to SSRIs.

Question 31

What is the role of serotonin in treating OCD?

Answer 31

It regulates mood, and low levels are associated with OCD symptoms. Drug treatments increase serotonin to alleviate symptoms.

Question 32

What are alternatives to SSRIs if they are not effective after three to four months?

Answer 32

Alternatives include increasing the SSRI dose, combining with other drugs, or using different types of antidepressants like tricyclics or SNRIs.

Question 33

What is a tricyclic antidepressant, and why is it used less frequently?

Answer 33

Tricyclics affect the serotonin system like SSRIs but have more severe side effects, so they are reserved for those who don’t respond to SSRIs.

Question 34

What is drug therapy in the context of OCD treatment?

Answer 34

Drug therapy involves using chemicals, such as antidepressants, that affect neurotransmitter levels in the brain to increase or decrease their activity. It targets abnormal neurotransmitter levels associated with OCD.

Question 35

What are SSRIs, and how do they work in treating OCD?

Answer 35

type of antidepressant that work by preventing the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain increases serotonin levels in the synapse, helping to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron and correct serotonin imbalances.

Question 36

How is serotonin released and reabsorbed in the brain?

Answer 36

released by presynaptic neurons into the synapse, where it travels to receptor sites on postsynaptic neurons. After conveying its signal, serotonin is reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron, where it is broken down and reused.

Question 37

What happens when SSRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin?

Answer 37

ensure that more serotonin remains active in the synapse, increasing its availability to stimulate postsynaptic neurons and compensating for serotonin deficiencies in OCD.

Question 38

What is one strength of drug treatment for OCD in terms of effectiveness?

Answer 38

There is clear evidence that SSRIs reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life. Studies show significantly better outcomes for SSRIs compared to placebos, with around 70% of patients benefiting from SSRIs.

Question 39

What happens to the remaining 30% of people for whom SSRIs are not effective?

Answer 39

For these patients, symptoms may be managed through alternative drugs or combinations of drugs with psychological therapies.

Question 40

What is a counterpoint to the evidence of effectiveness for drug treatments for OCD?

Answer 40

Some studies, such as Petros Skapinakis et al. (2016), suggest that cognitive and behavioral (exposure) therapies are more effective than SSRIs, indicating that drugs may not be the best treatment for all patients.

Question 41

Why are drug treatments for OCD considered cost-effective?

Answer 41

Drugs like SSRIs are cheaper to produce than psychological treatments, making them a good value for public healthcare systems such as the NHS. They also require fewer resources compared to therapy sessions.

Question 42

How are drug treatments less disruptive to people’s lives compared to psychological therapies?

Answer 42

Patients can simply take drugs until symptoms decline without needing to spend time attending therapy sessions, making them convenient for most individuals.

Question 43

What is one limitation of drug treatments for OCD?

Answer 43

Drugs can cause serious side effects, such as indigestion, blurred vision, and loss of sex drive. These side effects are usually temporary but can still be distressing for patients.

Question 44

What impact can serious side effects have on a patient’s treatment?

Answer 44

Patients may stop taking the drugs altogether if side effects are severe, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment and potentially worsening their quality of life.

Question 45

Why are drugs popular among many patients and doctors despite their limitations?

Answer 45

Drugs are effective, cost-efficient, and less disruptive than psychological therapies, making them a preferred choice for many patients and healthcare providers.

Question 46

What evidence supports the effectiveness of SSRIs in treating OCD?

Answer 46

G. Mustafa Soomro et al. (2009) reviewed 17 studies comparing SSRIs to placebos and found significantly better outcomes for SSRIs. Around 70% of patients benefited from SSRIs, reducing symptom severity and improving quality of life.

Question 47

What is a counterpoint to the effectiveness of drug treatments like SSRIs for OCD?

Answer 47

Petros Skapinakis et al. (2016) found that cognitive and behavioral (exposure) therapies were more effective than SSRIs, suggesting that drug treatments may not be the most effective option.

Question 48

Why might cognitive and behavioral therapies be preferred over SSRIs for treating OCD?

Answer 48

These therapies address the underlying thought patterns and behaviors contributing to OCD, providing longer-term benefits without the side effects associated with drugs.