psychopathology, OCD Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is a compulsion?
Repetitive behaviours used to reduce anxiety and are characterised by avoidance
Compulsions often take the form of rituals that a person feels driven to perform.
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
Hinders everyday functioning, social impairment, repetitive behaviours shown
These characteristics can significantly impact a person’s daily life.
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
Anxiety and distress, depression, guilt and disgust
Emotional distress can exacerbate the severity of OCD symptoms.
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
Obsessive thoughts, cognitive coping strategies, insight into excessive anxiety, attentional bias
These cognitive patterns can lead to a cycle of worry and compulsive behaviour.
What is the biological approach to explaining OCD?
The medical model, seeing mental illness caused by abnormal biological processes
This approach aligns mental illnesses with physical illnesses.
What are the two possible biological explanations for OCD?
- Genetics
- Neural abnormalities
These explanations suggest that biological factors play a significant role in the development of OCD.
What does the genetic explanation of OCD suggest?
OCD has been inherited through genetic transmission from biological parent to child
This implies a heritable component to the disorder.
What is the SERT gene?
A gene linked with OCD that affects the transport of serotonin, creating lower levels of the neurotransmitter
Lower serotonin levels are associated with various mood disorders.
What are concordance rates?
The percentage of pairs where both individuals share a certain characteristic in a sample of pairs of identical and non-identical twins
High concordance rates in identical twins suggest a genetic influence.
What were the concordance rates for OCD in MZ and DZ twins?
MZ twins: 68%; DZ twins: 31%
This significant difference supports the genetic hypothesis of OCD.
What does a concordance rate of less than 100% for MZ twins indicate?
It indicates that factors other than genetics may also contribute to OCD
This complicates the understanding of the disorder’s etiology.
What is the COMT gene?
A gene involved in the production of catechol-O-methyltransferase, which regulates dopamine production
Variants of this gene have been linked to OCD due to their effects on dopamine levels.
What did Ozaki et al. (2003) find regarding the SERT gene?
A mutation of the SERT gene in two unrelated families where six of the seven family members had OCD
This study provides evidence for a genetic link to OCD.
What is the diathesis-stress model?
An interaction of biological and environmental risk factors that can increase the risk of developing OCD
This model suggests that both genetics and life experiences play a role in the disorder.
What role does serotonin play in OCD?
It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that, when low, leads to higher activity of other neurotransmitters
This can contribute to the symptoms of OCD.
What is the worry circuit in the brain related to OCD?
The orbitofrontal cortex sends signals to the thalamus about worrying things, which the caudate nucleus usually suppresses
Damage to the caudate nucleus can lead to heightened worry signals.
What neurotransmitter is implicated alongside serotonin in OCD?
Dopamine
High levels of dopamine are linked to overactivity in the frontal lobes, which can manifest as compulsive behaviours.
What evidence supports the neural explanation of OCD?
PET scans of OCD patients show high activity in the orbitofrontal cortex
This suggests that neural abnormalities may contribute to OCD symptoms.
What is a criticism of the genetic explanation of OCD?
Concordance rates are not 100%, indicating that OCD is not solely genetic
This suggests the influence of environmental factors as well.
What is a practical application of understanding the genetic basis of OCD?
Potentially diagnosing the disorder through genetic testing of individuals with possible OCD
This could lead to earlier intervention and treatment options.
What is one cause of OCD according to the biological approach?
Neural abnormalities
This approach suggests that biological conditions can be treated through medication.
What type of drug is commonly used to treat OCD by increasing serotonin levels?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are typically used as antidepressants and can help with emotional symptoms.
What role does serotonin play in relation to the orbitofrontal cortex and caudate nuclei?
Serotonin plays a key role in the operation of the orbitofrontal cortex and the caudate nuclei.
This suggests that increasing serotonin can help these brain areas function more normally.
What occurs during synaptic transmission?
Neurotransmission involves an electric current traveling down the pre-synaptic neuron, causing vesicles to release neurotransmitters into the synapse.
The neurotransmitter then binds to receptor sites on the post-synaptic neuron.
