OCD

• What does OCD stand for?

  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• What are the main symptoms of OCD?

  Unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors
• What are the characteristics of OCD?

  • Cognitive: Obsessive thoughts, cognitive coping strategies, insight into anxiety
  • Emotional: Anxiety, depression, guilt, disgust
  • Behavioral: Compulsions, avoidance
• What is the comorbidity rate of OCD?

  High comorbidity rate
• Which disorders are commonly comorbid with OCD?

  Anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders
• What is the process of drug therapy for treating OCD?

  1. Start on SSRIs for 10-12 weeks
  2. Switch to SNRI or tricyclics after 3-4 months if SSRIs fail
  3. Use a mix of antidepressants and antipsychotics after three failures
• What is the initial treatment for OCD patients?

  SSRIs for 10-12 weeks
• What happens if SSRIs are ineffective after 3-4 months?

  Patients are switched to another drug
• What is the purpose of combining antidepressants with antipsychotics in OCD treatment?

  To lower dopamine levels
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of drug therapy for OCD?

  Strengths:

  • Cheap
  • Quick

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Negative side effects (headaches, weight gain)
  • May treat symptoms, not causes
• What is deep brain stimulation for OCD?

  1. Tiny electrodes are implanted in the basal ganglia
  2. Electrodes stimulate brain tissue when activated
  3. 62% of patients had symptom reduction in trials
• What neurotransmitter is associated with obsessive thoughts in OCD?

  Serotonin
• What neurotransmitter is linked to compulsions in OCD?

  Dopamine
• What is the brain dysfunction process in OCD?

  1. Thought generated in the orbitofrontal cortex
  2. Passed to the basal ganglia for filtering
  3. If filter is leaky, unnecessary info is processed
  4. Info goes to the thalamus for safety behaviors
  5. Thought loops lead to repetitive behaviors
• What can cause brain dysfunction related to OCD?

  Brain injury, genetics, trauma
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the neural explanation for OCD?

  Strengths:

  • Neuroimaging studies confirm abnormal brain activity

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Doesn't consider life events and environmental factors
• What did Aubrey Lewis observe about OCD and family?

  37% of people with OCD had parents with OCD
• What is the SERT gene's role in OCD?

  Transports serotonin
• What does a mutated version of the SERT gene cause?

  Lower levels of serotonin
• What is the function of the COMT gene?

  Clears dopamine from synapses
• What does a mutated version of the COMT gene lead to?

  Higher levels of dopamine
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the genetic explanation for OCD?

  Strengths:

  • 68% of monozygotic twins share OCD
  • 37% of people with OCD have parents with OCD

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Fails to consider trauma or environmental factors
  • Suggests OCD could be a learned behavior