OCD

Exposure therapy

A behavioural therapy technique used to treat phobias and anxiety disorders by gradually exposing the individual to the feared object, situation, or thought in a controlled and safe environment.

What are the two neural explanations for OCD

• Abnormalities in neurotransmitter

• Abnormalities in neuroanatomy

Serotonin in OCD

Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation.

Low serotonin = less able to regulate anxiety related obsessions

Dopamine in OCD

Dopamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter associated with rewards and anticipation of rewards.

Compulsions reduce anxiety in OCD patients which is rewarding

Excessive dopamine = excessive reward anticipation meaning continued compulsions.

SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Antidepressants that act to increase the effects of serotonin

Tükel et al. (2006)

Took a sample of 55 patients who had been diagnosed with OCD and had them undergo a 12-week standardised SSRI treatment. Only 58% of patients responded to SSRIs

Aetiology fallacy

The idea that treatments tell us about the cause for a disease

The circuit of the brain involved in OCD

The worry circuit

Parts of the brain involved in OCD

Orbitofrontal cortex

Basal Ganglia

Thalamas

Caudate nucleus (part of the basal ganglia)

What does the Orbitofrontal cortex do?

Sends worry signals to the thalamas

What does the thalamas do?

Sends signals to the rest of the body in order to deal with the worry

What does the Caudate nucleus do?

Suppresses/inhibits the worry signals from the OFC once worry is dealt with