OCD: Explaining and Treating (Cognitive Approach)

• What does OCD stand for?

  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• How is OCD commonly misunderstood?

  People trivialize it by claiming to be "a bit OCD"
• What dominates the internal mental world of someone with OCD?

  Repetitive and intrusive thoughts
• What is the impact of compulsions on the lives of those with OCD?

  They leave little time for other activities
• What will be discussed in the video regarding OCD?

  • Biological approach to explaining OCD
  • Genetic and neural explanations
  • Drug treatments and evaluations
• What is the prevalence rate of OCD in the general population?

  2 percent
• What are the common symptoms of OCD?

  Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors
• What is the nature of obsessive thoughts in OCD?

  They are repetitive and unpleasant
• What is the purpose of compulsions in OCD?

  To relieve discomfort from obsessive thoughts
• What is the relationship between obsessions about dirt and compulsive behaviors?

  They lead to repetitive cleaning behaviors
• What is the genetic explanation for OCD?

  Vulnerability to OCD is inherited from parents
• What are candidate genes in relation to OCD?

  Genes found more frequently in OCD patients
• How many separate genes could be involved in OCD?

  Up to 230 separate genes
• What is the concordance rate for OCD in identical twins?

  68 percent
• What is the concordance rate for OCD in non-identical twins?

  31 percent
• What neurotransmitter is most associated with OCD?

  Serotonin
• What happens to serotonin levels in people with OCD?

  They are thought to be low
• What is the role of the cert gene in OCD?

  It is responsible for serotonin transport
• What is the worry circuit in relation to OCD?

  It is overactive in people with OCD
• What brain structures are involved in the worry circuit?

  Orbital frontal cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus
• What is the function of the basal ganglia in normal functioning?

  Filters out minor worries
• What happens when the basal ganglia is hyperactive in OCD?

  Minor worries reach the thalamus
• What is the role of the parahippocampal gyrus in OCD?

  Regulates and processes unpleasant emotions
• What does a high concordance rate suggest about OCD?

  There is a genetic origin to OCD
• What is the diathesis-stress model in relation to OCD?

  Genetic vulnerability plus environmental stressor
• What did the research by Chroma reveal about traumatic life events and OCD?

  54% of participants reported traumatic events
• What is the main type of drug used to treat OCD?

  SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
• How do SSRIs work in the brain?

  They inhibit serotonin reuptake
• How long can it take for SSRIs to impact symptoms?

  Three to four months
• What are common side effects of SSRIs?

  Nausea, headache, and insomnia
• What is a disadvantage of drug therapy for OCD?

  Potential side effects and dependency
• What does the research by Goldacre suggest about drug therapy?

  Research may be biased due to funding
• Why might psychological therapy be preferred over drug therapy?

  It addresses the root cause of OCD
• What are the evaluations of biological treatments for OCD?

  • Effectiveness of SSRIs vs. placebos
  • Potential bias in drug research
  • Cost-effectiveness compared to CBT
  • Side effects and dependency issues
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of drug therapy for OCD?

  Advantages:

  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Convenient for patients

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Side effects like nausea and insomnia
  • Potential dependency on drugs
  • May only treat symptoms, not causes