OCD

    Cards (32)

    • What does OCD stand for?
      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
    • What characterizes OCD?

      OCD is characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions.
    • What are compulsions in the context of OCD?
      Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety.
    • How do compulsions relate to anxiety in OCD?
      Compulsions are performed in an attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions.
    • What is avoidance behavior in OCD?
      Avoidance behavior is an attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from triggering situations.
    • What emotional characteristics are associated with OCD?
      Emotional characteristics include anxiety, distress, and feelings of guilt and disgust.
    • How can anxiety manifest in individuals with OCD?
      The urge to repeat an action creates anxiety that can be overwhelming.
    • What cognitive characteristics are present in OCD?

      Cognitive characteristics include obsessive thoughts and cognitive coping strategies.
    • What are obsessive thoughts in OCD?
      Obsessive thoughts are thoughts that recur over and over again.
    • What is the cycle of OCD?

      The cycle of OCD involves temporary relief from anxiety through compulsive behavior.
    • What is the biological explanation for OCD?
      Genetic explanations suggest that genes are involved in individual vulnerability to OCD.
    • What did Aubrey Lewis (1936) find regarding OCD?
      He found that 37% of his OCD patients had parents with OCD.
    • 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.
    • What are candidate genes in relation to OCD?
      Candidate genes are those identified as creating vulnerability for OCD.
    • How is the serotonin system related to OCD?

      Some candidate genes are involved in regulating the development of the serotonin system.
    • What is the gene SHT1-D associated with?
      The gene SHT1-D is implicated in the transport of serotonin across synapses.
    • What does it mean that OCD is polygenic?

      It means OCD is caused by a combination of genetic variations rather than a single gene.
    • How many different genes may be involved in OCD according to Steven Taylor (2013)?
      Up to 230 different genes may be involved in OCD.
    • What does it mean that OCD is aetiologically heterogeneous?
      It means that different groups of genes may cause OCD in different individuals.
    • What role does serotonin play in mood regulation?
      Serotonin is believed to help regulate mood, and low levels can lead to low moods.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • What is the purpose of SSRI in treating OCD?

      SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that increase serotonin levels in the synapse.
    • How do SSRIs affect neurotransmitter activity?
      SSRIs prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin, increasing its levels in the synapse.
    • 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.
    • How are SSRIs often used in conjunction with other treatments?
      SSRIs are often used alongside CBT to help reduce emotional symptoms like anxiety.
    • 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.
    • What do SNRIs do in treating OCD?

      SNRIs increase levels of both serotonin and noradrenaline.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • How might depression affect the understanding of OCD symptoms?
      Depression may complicate the understanding of OCD symptoms as it also disrupts serotonin action.