OCD

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  • OCD
    • Characteristics
      • Behavioural
        • Compulsions - repetitive, to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions
        • Avoidance
      • Emotional
        • Anxiety and distress
        • Disgust (oneself/other) and guilt (minor moral issue)
      • Cognitive
        • Obsessive thoughts - recurring, intrusive - 90%
        • Catastrophic thoughts
        • Constant alertness
        • Aware obsessions / compulsions not rational
    • Biological approach
      • Genetics - explains why family members with OCD
        • Candidate genes - identified in development of OCD (research)
        • COMT gene - regulates dopamine, low activity = OCD
          • Dopamine involved in rewards /pleasure
            • Too much = compulsions to receive rewards / relief / gratification
        • SERT gene - affects transport of serotonin
          • Lower level = OCD = anxiety/ constant awareness
          • Regulates mood
        • Polygenic
          • Taylor - 230 genes
      • Neural
        • Neurotransmitters = messages in brain
          • Serotonin - transmission of mood related info doesn't take place = mental processes effected (mood + anxiety)
            • Left parahippocampal gyrus - associated with processing unpleasant emtions
              • in OCD = abnormal activity
          • Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors SSRIs to treat
            • Decision making - hoarding = impaired decision making, abnormal functioning of lateral sides of frontal lobes
              • Frontal lobe - decision making + logical thinking
      • Treatments
        • Drug therapy - anxiety disorders, chemical imbalance in brain
          • Corrected by drugs = increase / decrease neurotransmitters
            • SSRIs + other treatment = CBT
              • Reduces emotional symptoms (anxiety/ depression), engage effectively with CBT.
          • SSRIs - increases serotonin
            • Normally reabsorbed by nerve cells, SSRIs prevent, increases serotonin in synaptic gap
              • Stimulates postsynaptic neurone, increases mood + decreases anxiety
          • SSRIs alternatives - if not effective over 3/4 months increased or combined with other drugs
            • Tricyclics - anti-depressants, inhibit re-uptake of serotonin or norepinephrine

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