OCD

• What type of disorder is OCD classified as?


  Anxiety disorder
• What are the two main components of OCD?


  Obsessions and compulsions
• What are the characteristics of obsessions in OCD?


  • Forbidden, inappropriate, and intrusive thoughts
  • Not based in reality
• What are the characteristics of compulsions in OCD?


  • Uncontrollable urges to perform repetitive behaviors
  • Aimed at reducing anxiety
  • Time-consuming and recognized as a short-term fix
• What percentage of the population is affected by OCD?


  1. 2%
• At what age does OCD typically onset?


  Adolescence
• What are the behavioral characteristics of OCD?


  • Compulsions
  • Hinders everyday functioning
  • Social impairment
• What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?


  • Distress
  • Depression
  • Extreme anxiety
• What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?


  • Realization of inappropriateness
  • Selective attention
  • Obsessive thinking
• What is the biological approach to mental illness known as?


  • The medical model
  • Views mental illness as caused by abnormal biological processes
• What does the genetic explanation of OCD suggest?


  • OCD is inherited through genetic transmission
  • Linked to specific genes like the SERT gene affecting serotonin transport
• What are the two types of twins mentioned in the genetic explanation of OCD?

  Monozygotic and dizygotic twins
• What did Nestadt (2000) find regarding concordance rates in twins?


  MZ twins had a 68% concordance rate, while DZ twins had a 31% rate
• What does a lower concordance rate in MZ twins suggest about the causes of OCD?


  Another factor besides genetics may play a role in causing OCD
• What did Ozaki (2003) find in his study of families with OCD?


  A mutation in the SERT gene was found in 6 out of 7 family members with OCD
• What is one practical application of understanding the genetic basis of OCD?


  It may lead to better diagnosis and treatment options
• What did Cromer (2007) find regarding traumatic events and OCD?


  Over half of the OCD patients studied had a traumatic event in their past
• What is a limitation of the genetic explanation of OCD?


  Children often show dissimilar OCD symptoms compared to their parents
• What do neural explanations of OCD argue?


  • OCD is caused by abnormalities in the brain
  • Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters contribute to these abnormalities
• What is synaptic transmission?


  It is the process where neurotransmitters are released across the synaptic gap
• Which part of the brain is associated with high activity in OCD sufferers?

  The orbitofrontal cortex
• What role does serotonin play in OCD?


  Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that affects message transfer between neurons
• What is the treatment-aetiology fallacy?


  Assuming that a drug's effectiveness in reducing symptoms indicates it targets the cause of the disorder
• What did Hu (2006) find regarding serotonin levels in OCD patients?


  OCD patients had lower serotonin activity than controls
• What is the effect of SSRIs on OCD symptoms?


  SSRIs increase serotonin levels and reduce symptoms of OCD
• What is the function of GABA in the brain?


  GABA reduces anxiety by increasing the flow of negatively charged chloride ions into neurons
• What is the main purpose of benzodiazepines (Bz's)?


  To reduce anxiety
• What did Soomro (2008) find in his review of SSRI studies?


  • SSRIs were more effective than placebos
  • Effective for about 70% of people
• What did Skapinakis et al. conclude about cognitive and behavioral therapies compared to SSRIs?


  Cognitive and behavioral therapies were more effective than SSRIs
• What are some side effects of SSRIs and Bz's?


  SSRIs can cause indigestion and blurred vision; Bz's can cause aggression
• What did Griest (1998) find regarding exposure and ritual prevention therapy (ERPT)?


  ERPT was as effective as drug therapy for treating OCD
• Why might some people prefer drug treatments over ERPT?


  ERPT requires willpower and time for exposure