obsessive compulsive disorder

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cognitive characteristics
obsessive thoughts (recurring and intrusive), catastrophic thinking (irrational thoughts involving worst case outcomes) and hyper vigilance (increased state of awareness)
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behavioural characteristics
compulsions (repetitive behaviour or mental act that temporarily receives anxiety) and avoidance (avoiding situations which can trigger anxiety)
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emotional characteristics
anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guild/disgust
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genetic explanation overview
suggest an individual may inherit a vulnerability to OCD through genes. heritability studies have proved OCD is more likely to occur in individuals who are genetically similar
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SERT gene
associated with OCD due to role in transporting serotonin. a mutation leads to increased reuptake so theres less serotonin available in synaptic gap so less serotonin passed onto neighbouring neurons
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5HT1-D beta
affects auto-receptors involved in the regulation of serotonin. a variation means less serotonin is passed across synapses
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Nestadt
investigated genetic basis of OCD and found individuals with a first-degree relative with OCD were 5x more likely to have OCD at some point in their lives compared to the general public
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Billett et al
conducted meta-analysis of 14 twin studies. found monozygotic twins were twice as likley to develop OCD if their twin had the disorder, than dizygotic twins but concordance rates are never 100%
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diathesis stress model
suggests that genes may create a vulnerability to developing OCD, environmental factors are needed to trigger the likelihood of developing OCD
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neuroanatomy
worry circuit, orbital frontal cortex sends a signal to the thalamus through caudate nucleus, if CN is damaged then worry isn't blocked and T confirms worry and sends signal back to OFC creating anxiety, compulsions and obsessions
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Menzies et al
used MRI scan to produce images of brain activity. found individuals with OCD had reduced grey matter in key areas of the brain including OFC so overactive worry circuit
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neurochemical
low levels of serotonin means normal mood regulation doesn't take place ad communication within the brain isn't effective and could lead to increased anxious responses
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Bloch
meta-analysis of studies looking at relationship between SSRIs and OCD and found higher doses of SSRIs were associated with a decrease in OCD symptoms (40% didn't respond to SSRIs)
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SSRIs
aim to increase levels of serotonin by blocking the reuptake mechanism so more serotonin is left in the synapse meaning more is passed onto neighbouring neurons
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Soomro
found that SSRIs were a more effective treatment for OCD than placebos in 17 studies (only 60% responded)
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SNRIs
increase the levels of noradrenaline which is involved in controlling responsiveness and fear
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Dell'Osso
found that SNRIs appear to be as effective in treating OCD as SSRIs
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cost effective
drug treatments are cost effective and less intrusive and less disruptive than therapy
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side effects
drug treatments can have physical and psychological side effects
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only treating symptoms
drug treatments may only be treating the symptoms of OCD and not the root cause so CBT may be better
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

behavioural characteristics

Back

compulsions (repetitive behaviour or mental act that temporarily receives anxiety) and avoidance (avoiding situations which can trigger anxiety)

Card 3

Front

emotional characteristics

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

genetic explanation overview

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

SERT gene

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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