Psychopathology

• What does CBT stand for in the context of SSRIs?

  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• How can CBT be used in conjunction with SSRIs?

  CBT can be combined with SSRIs to reduce emotional symptoms
• What is the full form of SSRI?

  Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
• What happens to serotonin released by presynaptic neurons?

  It travels across a synapse and conveys the signal to the post-synaptic neuron
• What occurs to serotonin after it conveys the signal?

  It is reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron where it is broken down
• How do SSRIs affect serotonin levels in the synapse?

  SSRIs prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin
• What is the effect of SSRIs on the post-synaptic neuron?

  SSRIs effectively increase the level of serotonin in the synapse, stimulating the post-synaptic neuron
• What is the issue with the serotonin system in OCD?

  The serotonin system is dysfunctional, leading to abnormal serotonin levels
• How can normalizing serotonin levels help individuals?

  It can help regulate mood and anxiety
• What is the mechanism of action of SSRIs?

  • SSRIs prevent the reabsorption of serotonin
  • They inhibit the breakdown of serotonin
  • This leads to increased serotonin levels in the synapse
  • Enhanced stimulation of the post-synaptic neuron
• The DSM-5 is the most widely used diagnostic manual, with over 10 million copies sold.
• Biological explanations: Biological explanations focus on biological processes that underlie mental health problems. They include genetic influences, brain functioning and neurochemistry.
• DSM-5 provides guidance on how to use these criteria sets through text descriptions, examples, and other information.
• Genetic explanation: Genetics refers to the inheritance of characteristics from one generation to another through genes. The idea that genetics play an important role in the development of mental illness has been around since the early 20th century when researchers began to investigate heritability (the proportion of variation in a trait due to genetic differences).
• Cultural factors can influence how symptoms are perceived and reported by individuals seeking treatment.
• Regression is a defense mechanism where one reverts to earlier, more childlike stages of behavior.
• Rationalization is a defense mechanism where one creates logical explanations to justify irrational or unacceptable behavior.
• DSM-5 has been criticized for being too broad and including normal experiences as disorders.
• Projection is a defense mechanism where one attributes their unacceptable thoughts or feelings onto others.
• The DSM-5 provides guidance for diagnosis, treatment planning, prognosis, research studies, and epidemiological investigations.
• The DSM-5 includes criteria sets for mental disorders that are commonly encountered by clinicians.
• Psychodynamic explanation: This approach focuses on unconscious conflicts between different parts of the mind as the cause of psychological disorders.
• Psychological explanations: These are based on psychological theories such as cognitive psychology or psychodynamic theory.
• Cognitive behavioural explanation: CBT suggests that our thoughts influence how we feel and behave, so negative thinking patterns lead to emotional distress and maladaptive behaviours.
• Social explanations: Social factors play an important role in shaping our experiences and behavior, including social support networks, cultural norms, and societal expectations.
• OCD TREATMENT - drug therapy


  Ssri, antianxiety drugs, thycyclics
• What disorder is particularly associated with impaired decision making in some cases of OCD?

  Hoarding disorder
• How is impaired decision making in OCD potentially linked to brain function?

  It may be associated with abnormal functioning of the lateral areas of the frontal lobes
• Which specific brain area is mentioned as functioning abnormally in OCD related to pleasant emotions?

  The left parahippocampal gyrus
• What is the role of the left parahippocampal gyrus in relation to emotions?

  It is associated with processing pleasant emotions
• What connection can be drawn between OCD and brain function based on the study material?

  OCD may involve impaired decision making linked to abnormal functioning in specific brain areas
• Decision making systems


  Some cases of ocd in particular hoarding dissorder seem to be associated with impaired decision making. this may be associated with abnormal functioning of the lateral areas of the frontal lobes. the left parahippocampus gyrus, involved in processing emotions functions abnormally in OCD
• Abnormal brain circuits


  Candidate nucleus normally