OCD: explaining and treating

• What does OCD stand for?

  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• How is OCD commonly misunderstood by the public?

  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 are the common symptoms of OCD?

  • Obsessive thoughts
  • Compulsive behaviors
  • Temporary relief from anxiety
  • Common obsessions: dirt, burglary, fire
• What is the prevalence rate of OCD in the general population?

  2 percent
• 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 does the genetic explanation suggest about OCD?

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

  Genes found more frequently in OCD patients
• Name one candidate gene associated with OCD.

  5-HT1D beta gene
• What is the role of serotonin in OCD?

  Low levels cause obsessive thoughts
• What happens to serotonin in people with OCD?

  It is removed too quickly from the synapse
• What is the worry circuit in relation to OCD?

  Overactive brain structures causing excessive worry
• Which brain structures are involved in the worry circuit?

  Orbital frontal cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus
• What is the function of the orbital frontal cortex?

  Responsible for rational decision making
• What is the role of the basal ganglia in OCD?

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

  Minor worries reach the thalamus
• What is the parahippocampal gyrus responsible for?

  Regulating and processing unpleasant emotions
• What does the diathesis-stress model suggest about OCD?

  Genetic vulnerability plus environmental stressors
• 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
• What is a common side effect of SSRIs?

  Nausea
• What is a criticism of drug therapy for OCD?

  It may only treat symptoms, not causes
• What is the financial concern regarding drug therapy research?

  Pharmaceutical companies may bias results
• Why might patients prefer CBT over drug therapy?

  CBT addresses the root causes of OCD
• What is the potential issue with the effectiveness of drug therapy?

  40-60% show no or partial improvement
• What are the evaluations of biological treatments for OCD?

  • SSRIs are effective compared to placebos
  • Research may be biased by pharmaceutical companies
  • Drug therapy is less expensive than CBT
  • Side effects include nausea and insomnia
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of drug therapy for OCD?

  Advantages:

  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Convenient for patients

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Potential side effects
  • Delayed symptom relief
  • May only treat symptoms, not causes