OCD Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is OCD?
OCD is anxiety surrounding a certain exaggerated idea, which results in a repeated compulsive behaviour.
Both compulsions and obsessions are present in those with OCD.
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
- repetitive compulsions
- compulsions that reduce anxiety
- avoidance
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
- anxiety and distress
- accompanying depression
- guilt and shame
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
- Obsessive thoughts
- Cognitive coping strategies
- they know about their excessive anxiety
What is the cycle of OCD?
Obsessive thought
Anxiety
Compulsive behaviour
Temporary relief
What are candidate genes?
Genes in which make people more vulnerable to OCD than others when present. Some of these genes are responsible in serotonin production.
What does it mean that OCD is polygenic?
OCD is caused by more than one gene.
What did Taylor (2013) find out about the biological approach to OCD?
OCD is caused by 230 different genes.
What 2 neurotransmitters are usually associated with OCD?
serotonin and dopamine
How can OCD be explained neurologically by the use of serotonin?
serotonin is related to mood, a decrease in serotonin means that mood can not be regulated well. At least some cases of OCD can be explained by a lack of serotonin or functionality in the serotonin system.
What other part of the brain can be involved in OCD?
the frontal lobe
how is the frontal lobe involved in OCD?
those with OCD usually have an impaired sense of right or wrong in decision making, decision making is usually located in the frontal lobe.
What part of the brain, associated with OCD, is involved in the processing of unpleasant moods?
parahippocampal gyrus
What is one strength of the biological approach of OCD?
- Strong evidence base, Gerald (2010) found that 68% of identical twins shared OCD and it was common that if someone was diagnosed with OCD another person in the family would also have OCD. This is a strength because it shows that OCD is genetic.
- Existence of supporting evidence for the neural model, antidepressants that work solely on serotonin help in reducing OCD symptoms suggesting that OCD is affected by serotonin. This is a strength because it shows that OCD is biological.
What is one limitation of the biological approach of OCD?
- Environmental risk factors, Cromer (2007) found that over half of the clients with OCD in the study had experienced a traumatic event. This suggests that there are also environmental factors as well as biological.
- The serotonin-OCD link may not be OCD exclusive, Many people with OCD also have clinical depression, which is called co-morbidity, depression may have impacted the serotonin production. It could simply be that the depression is causing the OCD. This means that serotonin may not be relevant to OCD symptoms.
What are the treatments for OCD?
SSRI’s, CBT, and tricyclics, and SNRI’s.
what are tricyclics?
an older type of SSRI.
what is an example of tricyclics?
clomipramine
why are tricyclics used usually?
when people don’t respond well to SSRI’s, tricyclics are given, but they have worse side effects.
what are SNRI’s?
a different class of antidepressants, that like tricyclics, are used as a second choice. they are often used for OCD.
what is the difference between SSRI’s and SNRI’s?
SSRI’s increase serotonin, SNRI’s increase serotonin and also noroadrenaline.
What is a strength of drug therapy for OCD?
- Good evidence for effectiveness, Soomro et al reviewed 17 studies that used antidepressants and placebos. In all 17 studies, the antidepressants worked, this suggests that the drug therapy works well.
- Cost effective, the drugs are cheaper and less expensive than psychological therapies. This suggests that the dug therapy is more accessible for the wider population.
what is one weakness of drug therapy for OCD?
severe side effects, some side effects involve a loss of sex drive and change in appetite which could bring around more pain than help especially if they do not respond to the SSRI’s, this suggests that some people will have a reduced quality of life.
