Week 7- obsessive compulsive & related disorders

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

A chronic, debilitating condition characterized by the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both.

What are obsessions in OCD?

Persistent, intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images that cause marked anxiety or distress.

What are common themes of obsessions in OCD?

Contamination (55%), aggressive impulses (50%), symmetry/exactness (36%), and sexual imagery (32%).

What are compulsions in OCD?

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety.

What are common types of compulsions in OCD?

Checking (80%), cleaning/washing (46%), and ordering.

What is the diagnostic criterion for OCD?

Symptoms must be time-consuming (>1 hour per day) or cause significant functional impairment.

What is the prevalence of OCD in the population?

Affects between 1% and 3% of the population globally.

How does the prevalence of OCD differ by gender?

Prevalence rates are generally equal across genders, but males often have an earlier age of onset.

What is the average age of onset for OCD?

Approximately 19 years, with 1/3 to 1/2 of adult patients reporting symptoms beginning in childhood.

What genetic factors are associated with OCD?

OCD is highly heritable; first-degree relatives are four times more likely to develop the disorder.

What role does the Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC) play in OCD?

It detects errors where none exist and sends constant 'worry' signals.

What is the function of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) in OCD?

It adds intense emotional responses like disgust or guilt to anxious thoughts.

How does the Caudate Nucleus/Basal Ganglia affect individuals with OCD?

It fails to filter out unwanted thoughts, causing reflexive or repetitive behaviors.

What neurochemical factors are implicated in OCD?

Serotonin (deficit suggested by SSRI efficacy) and dopamine (excess linked to symptoms).

What cognitive deficits are observed in patients with OCD?

Deficits in executive functions, particularly organization, planning, and set-shifting.

What is the Cognitive-Behavioural Model of OCD?

Proposes that everyone has intrusive thoughts, but OCD sufferers place catastrophic meaning on them.

What is the Two-Factor Learning Theory in relation to OCD?

Symptoms develop through classical conditioning and are maintained by operant conditioning.

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)?

Preoccupation with perceived defects in physical appearance that are unobservable or appear slight to others.

What is the prevalence of BDD in the general population?

0.7-2.4%, but significantly higher in dermatology (12%) and cosmetic surgery (45%) settings.

What is a core feature of Hoarding Disorder?

Persistent difficulty discarding possessions due to a perceived need to save them.

What are the psychological drivers of Trichotillomania?

Acts are often motivated by regulating states of high or low arousal.

What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)?

The gold-standard psychological treatment for OCD, involving learning that a feared stimulus is safe.

What role do SSRIs play in the treatment of OCD?

They are the first-line medication, though 40-60% of patients may not show a meaningful response.

What complicating factors can affect OCD treatment?

Overvalued ideation and scrupulosity can hamper treatment effectiveness.