ocd

• What percentage of the population experiences OCD according to the 2009 survey?

  1. 3% of the population experiences OCD.
• What is OCD classified as?

  OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder
• What are the two main components of OCD?

  Obsessions and compulsions

  
• What percentage of the population is affected by OCD?

  1. 3%
• What is the most common type of compulsion experienced by women with OCD?

  Compulsions of cleanliness
• What is the most common type of compulsion experienced by men with OCD?

  Compulsive checking behavior
• What is the percentage of OCD sufferers who experience both obsessions and compulsions?

  70%
• What are obsessions in the context of OCD?

  Reoccurring and persistent thoughts that are not based on reality
• What are compulsions in the context of OCD?

  Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts

  
• What are some examples of obsessions and compulsions in OCD?

  • Obsessional cleanliness: fear of dirt leading to hand-washing
  • Compulsive rituals: specific ways of doing things
  • Obsessional doubts: health and safety concerns
  • Compulsive checking: double-checking locks
  • Obsessional ruminations: internal debates
  • Obsessional impulses: urges to perform dangerous acts
• What are the characteristics of OCD according to the DSM?

  • Behavioral: Compulsions that are repetitive and used to manage anxiety
  • Emotional: Anxiety, distress, awareness of irrationality
  • Cognitive: Obsessive thoughts that cannot be removed

  
• What are the two types of genetic explanations for OCD?

  Genetic and neural explanations.
• What does the COMT gene regulate?

  It regulates the neurotransmitter dopamine.
• How does a variation of the COMT gene affect dopamine levels?

  It results in higher levels of dopamine.
• What is the role of the SERT gene in OCD?

  It affects the transport of serotonin.

  
• What happens when there is a mutation in the SERT gene?

  It causes lower levels of serotonin.
• How does the mutation in the SERT gene affect serotonin reuptake?

  It leads to an increase in reuptake of serotonin into the neuron.

  
• What did Lewis (1936) find in his study on OCD?

  37% of patients with OCD had parents with the disorder.
• What do family studies suggest about OCD?

  They provide support for a genetic explanation of OCD.
• What do twin studies reveal about OCD?

  They provide strong evidence for a genetic link to OCD.
• What is the serotonin transporter abbreviated as?

  SERT
• What effect does a mutation in the SERT gene have on serotonin levels?

  It causes lower levels of serotonin.
• What mental health conditions are associated with lower levels of serotonin?

  OCD and depression.
• How does the mutation in the SERT gene affect serotonin reuptake?

  It increases the reuptake of serotonin into the neuron.

  
• What is the consequence of increased serotonin reuptake on serotonin levels in the synapse?

  It decreases the level of serotonin in the synapse.

  
• What does less serotonin in the synapse mean for receptor cells?

  Less serotonin is being delivered to the receptor cell.

  
• What are the strengths of genetic explanations for OCD?

  • Family studies show a genetic link (e.g., Lewis found 37% of OCD patients had affected parents).
  • Twin studies indicate a strong genetic component (e.g., Nestadt found 68% concordance in identical twins).
• What did Lewis (1936) find in his family studies related to OCD?

  37% of patients with OCD had parents with the disorder.
• What percentage of non-identical twins experience OCD according to Nestadt et al (2010)?

  31%
• What are the limitations of genetic explanations for OCD?

  • Concordance rates in identical twins are not 100%, indicating environmental factors.
  • Genetic explanations do not account for learned behaviors associated with OCD.
• Why do twin studies not provide 100% concordance rates in identical twins for OCD?

  Because biological factors are not the only contributors to OCD.
• What alternative explanation for OCD do some psychologists suggest?

  OCD may be learned through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.

  
• What are the neural explanations for OCD?

  • Focus on neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine) and brain structures.
  • Serotonin regulates mood; low levels are linked to OCD.
  • Dopamine is associated with compulsive behaviors.

  
• What role does serotonin play in OCD?

  Serotonin regulates mood, and lower levels are associated with OCD symptoms.

  
• What behaviors may increase when someone with OCD experiences low serotonin levels?

  Obsessive hand-washing, counting, or organizing.
• What neurotransmitter is associated with compulsive behaviors in OCD?

  Dopamine.

  
• What is the role of the caudate nucleus in OCD?

  It regulates signals between the OFC and thalamus.
• What happens to the caudate nucleus in individuals with OCD?

  It is thought to be damaged and cannot suppress signals from the OFC.
• What are the strengths of neural explanations for OCD?

  • Support from biological treatments like anti-depressants that increase serotonin.
  • Brain scans show increased activity in the prefrontal cortex of OCD patients.
• What do brain scans reveal about OCD patients compared to others?

  They show increased activity in the prefrontal cortex.