PP - OCD

Question 1

what is OCD

Answer 1

obsessive compulsive disorder - an anxiety disorder

Question 2

what is an obsession

Answer 2

persistent, intrusive and recurring thoughts or images

Question 3

what are compulsions

Answer 3

repetitive and ritualistic behaviours that often occur as a result of obsessions

Question 4

who experiences what with OCD

Answer 4

70% have obsessions and compulsions
20% experience obsessions
10% experiences compulsions
1.2% of the world has OCD

Question 5

what is the OCD cycle

Answer 5

Question 6

what are DSM-5 disorders grouped with OCD

Answer 6

• trichotillomania: compulsive hair pulling
• hoarding disorder: compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything regardless of value
• excoriation disorder: compulsive skin picking

Question 7

what are the cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 7

• obsessive thoughts
• awareness of irrational, excessive anxiety
• may partake in strategies to deal with obsessions e.g. praying

Question 8

behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 8

• avoidance of the anxiety causing stimulus
• compulsive behaviours

Question 9

emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 9

• accompanying depression
• guilt and disgust
• anxiety and distress

Question 10

what are the biological explanations of OCD

Answer 10

• genetic explanation
• brain structure
• neurotransmitters

Question 11

what is the genetic explanation of OCD

Answer 11

• OCD tends to run in families suggesting a genetic link
• biopsychologists investigate concordance rates for traits of OCD between family members

Question 12

what occurs during twin studies in the genetic explanation

Answer 12

• compares MZ twins with DZ twins
• if a trait has a higher biological basis - concordance would be higher for MZ, higher environmental basis DZ would be higher
  NEVER 100% CONCORDANCE

Question 13

what are gene mapping studies in the genetic explanation

Answer 13

• compares the genetic material from OCD suffers with non-sufferers
• indicates a genetic link but is likely to be polygenic
• Lenane et al saw a prevalence of OCD in related family members

Question 14

what is a problem with the genetic explanation

Answer 14

• no one’s really sure what exactly is being inherited
• never get 100% concordance
• research suggests some forms of OCD are more genetic than others

Question 15

how does the brain structure explain OCD

Answer 15

the “worry circuit” has a fault - causing irrational responses

Question 16

what is the “worry circuit”

Answer 16

• the orbitofrontal cortex sends signals to the thalamus via the caudate nucleus about things that are worrying
• to get to the caudate nucleus, the cingulate cortex acts as a relay system between the two
• the caudate nucleus usually regulates information from the OFC
• when the caudate nucleus is damaged, it fails to suppress minor worry signals so the thalamus is alerted
• this sends signals to the OFC and confirms the worry

Question 17

difference between the orbitofrontal cortex in normal brain vs. OCD brain

Answer 17

N: integrates sensory info, makes decisions and anticipates rewards and punishments
OCD: detects an error when there isn;t one

Question 18

difference between the cingulate cortex in normal brain vs OCD brain

Answer 18

N: adds emotional response to thoughts
OCD: adds emotions like disgust and guilt to anxious thoughts

Question 19

difference between the caudate nucleus in normal brain vs. OCD brain

Answer 19

N: processes and filters information, removes unwanted thoughts - stabiliser
OCD: fails to filters unwanted thoughts

Question 20

differences between the basal ganglia in normal brain vs. OCD brain

Answer 20

N: controls movements, thinking and judgement
OCD: causes reflexes or repetitive behaviour

Question 21

what are neurotransmitters

Answer 21

chemical messengers that carry, boost and regulate signals between neurons and other body cells

Question 22

what is the neurotransmitter linked to OCD

Answer 22

serotonin - sends mood relevant information - if it does not take place, then mood and mental processes can be affected

Question 23

why do we think serotonin is linked to OCD

Answer 23

• serotonin is said to play a very active role in the orbitofrontal cortex and caudate nucleus
• low levels may cause abnormal functioning (OCD)

Question 24

specific genes related to OCD

Answer 24

COMT gene - reduces the action of dopamine
SERT gene - affects the transport of serotonin

Question 25

what are the 3 drug treatments for OCD

Answer 25

- antidepressants (SSRIs) - SNRIs - benzodiazepines (BZs)

Question 26

characteristics of SSRIs

Answer 26

- most common form of treatments for OCD - inhibit serotonin reuptake - dosage for OCD is higher than for depression - some people do not respond to this medication

Question 27

characteristics of SNRIs

Answer 27

- inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake - only used if SSRIs don't work as they have more side effects - drugs include amitriptyline

Question 28

characteristics of BZs

Answer 28

- anti-anxiety drugs - increase the action of neurotransmitter GABA - inhibitory neurotransmitter - "slows down" the brain

Question 29

strengths of biological treatment of OCD

Answer 29

- Soomro et al discovered that drugs were more effective than placebos - they actually work - little effort in taking a pill and not very intrusive - doesn't require any motivation to get better - CBT does

Question 30

limitations of biological treatment for OCD

Answer 30

- side effects for SNRIs and BZs can be very harmful - nausea, dizziness, drowsiness - little long term evidence for treating OCD - relapse in often common - selective publication often leads doctors to mistreat patients

Question 31

what does the COMT gene control

Answer 31

reduces the action of dopamine

Question 32

what does the SERT gene control

Answer 32

affects transport of serotonin