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Paper 1
Psychopathology
OCD
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Created by
Evie Rowley
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Cards (32)
What does OCD stand for?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
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What characterizes
OCD
?
OCD is characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions.
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What are compulsions in the context of OCD?
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce
anxiety.
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How do compulsions relate to anxiety in OCD?
Compulsions are performed in an attempt to manage the
anxiety
produced by obsessions.
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What is avoidance behavior in OCD?
Avoidance behavior is an attempt to reduce
anxiety
by keeping away from triggering situations.
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What emotional characteristics are associated with OCD?
Emotional characteristics include
anxiety
, distress, and feelings of
guilt
and disgust.
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How can anxiety manifest in individuals with OCD?
The urge to repeat an action creates
anxiety
that can be overwhelming.
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What cognitive characteristics are present in
OCD
?
Cognitive characteristics include obsessive thoughts and cognitive coping strategies.
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What are obsessive thoughts in OCD?
Obsessive
thoughts are
thoughts
that
recur over
and
over again.
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What is the cycle of
OCD
?
The cycle of OCD involves temporary relief from anxiety through compulsive behavior.
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What is the biological explanation for OCD?
Genetic explanations suggest that genes are involved in individual
vulnerability
to OCD.
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What did Aubrey Lewis (1936) find regarding OCD?
He found that
37
% of his OCD patients had parents with OCD.
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What does the diathesis-stress model suggest about OCD?
The diathesis-stress model suggests that certain genes increase
vulnerability
to OCD, but environmental stress is necessary to trigger the condition.
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What are candidate genes in relation to
OCD?
Candidate genes are those identified as creating vulnerability for OCD.
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How is the serotonin
system
related to OCD?
Some candidate genes are involved in regulating the development of the serotonin system.
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What is the gene SHT1-D associated with?
The gene SHT1-D is implicated in the transport of serotonin across
synapses.
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What does it mean that OCD is
polygenic
?
It means OCD is caused by a combination of genetic variations rather than a single gene.
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How many different genes may be involved in OCD according to Steven Taylor (2013)?
Up to
230
different genes may be involved in OCD.
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What does it mean that OCD is aetiologically heterogeneous?
It means that different groups of genes may cause
OCD
in different individuals.
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What role does serotonin play in mood regulation?
Serotonin is believed to help regulate mood, and low levels can lead to
low
moods.
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How can impaired
decision-making
be associated with OCD?
Impaired decision-making may be associated with abnormal functioning of the lateral frontal lobes of the brain.
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What area of the brain is associated with unpleasant emotions in OCD?
The
left parahippocampal gyrus
is associated with unpleasant emotions and functions abnormally in OCD.
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What is the purpose of SSRI in treating
OCD
?
SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that increase serotonin levels in the synapse.
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How do SSRIs affect neurotransmitter activity?
SSRIs prevent the
reabsorption
and breakdown of serotonin, increasing its levels in the
synapse.
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How long does it typically take for SSRIs to have an impact on OCD symptoms?
It typically takes
3-4
months of daily use for SSRIs to have a significant impact.
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How are SSRIs often used in conjunction with other treatments?
SSRIs are often used alongside
CBT
to help reduce emotional symptoms like anxiety.
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What are tricyclics in the context of OCD treatment?
Tricyclics
act on various systems, including the serotonin system, and are generally used when SSRIs don't work.
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What do SNRIs do in treating
OCD
?
SNRIs increase levels of both serotonin and noradrenaline.
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What research supports the biological approach to OCD?
Research shows that OCD has a genetic
makeup,
with twin studies indicating a 68% concordance rate in MZ twins.
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What did Kiara Comer et al. (2003) find regarding environmental risk factors for OCD?
They found that
75
% of clients experienced a traumatic event in their past, which was more severe in those with one or more traumas.
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What is a limitation of the serotonin-OCD link?
The serotonin-
OCD
link may not be unique, as many people with OCD also have clinical depression, which disrupts serotonin action.
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How might depression affect the understanding of OCD symptoms?
Depression may complicate the understanding of
OCD
symptoms as it also disrupts serotonin action.
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