Exam 4 OCD & Anxiety

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A mental disorder with unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and actions (compulsions).

OCD Obsessions

Unwanted, intrusive thoughts or fears that cause anxiety.

OCD Compulsions

Repetitive actions done to relieve anxiety caused by obsessions.

OCD Prevalence

Affects about 1–3% of people, often starting in adolescence or early adulthood.

Cortico-Striatal-Thalamic Circuit (CSTC)

A brain loop involving the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and thalamus; overactivity here causes OCD symptoms.

Jeffrey Schwartz’s Four Steps

1. Relabel 2. Reattribute 3. Refocus 4. Revalue — a method to manage OCD thoughts.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A structured therapy that helps identify and change negative thought patterns.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

A therapy where patients face their fears and resist compulsions to break the OCD cycle.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Medications that increase serotonin in the brain to reduce OCD and anxiety symptoms.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (Clomipramine)

Older antidepressants that can also help reduce OCD symptoms.

Surgical OCD Treatments

In severe cases, small areas of the brain’s OCD circuit may be altered or stimulated (DBS) to reduce symptoms.

PET Scan Findings in OCD

Show overactive brain areas like the orbitofrontal cortex and caudate nucleus.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Ongoing, uncontrollable worry lasting more than six months.

Panic Disorder

Characterized by sudden, repeated panic attacks and intense fear.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Fear of social or performance situations where one might be judged.

Amygdala Role in Anxiety

Processes fear and emotional reactions.

Prefrontal Cortex Role in Anxiety

Controls and regulates emotional responses.

Hippocampus Role in Anxiety

Helps give context to fear; often smaller in people with PTSD.

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

A condition that develops after trauma, involving flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional numbness.

Anxiety Treatments

Common treatments include SSRIs, therapy, and lifestyle changes like exercise and relaxation techniques.

Importance of Seeking Help

Getting early treatment improves recovery and quality of life.