psychopathology ocd

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors that sufferers feel compelled to perform to reduce anxiety, such as hand-washing.

Avoidance

A strategy used by OCD sufferers to manage anxiety by avoiding triggers, like touching door handles or putting out the bin.

Emotional Characteristics

Feelings commonly experienced by OCD sufferers, including anxiety, distress, depression, guilt, and disgust.

Cognitive Characteristics

Features of OCD that include obsessive thoughts, hypervigilance, and awareness of excessive and unreasonable thoughts and behaviors.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter believed to regulate mood; disruptions in serotonin levels may contribute to OCD symptoms.

Frontal Lobe

Brain area involved in decision-making, which may function abnormally in some OCD patients, particularly in cases like hoarding.

Parahippocampal Gyrus

Brain region associated with processing unpleasant emotions, which may show abnormal functioning in OCD patients.

SERT Gene

A candidate gene linked to OCD that affects serotonin transport in the brain, potentially leading to the disorder.

COMT Gene

A gene involved in dopamine regulation that may also be implicated in the development of OCD.

Aetiologically Heterogeneous

The concept that different types of OCD may arise from various genetic causes.

Twin Studies

Research method used to investigate the genetic basis of OCD by comparing concordance rates between monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins.

Concordance Rates

The likelihood that both twins in a pair will share a condition, used to assess genetic influence in twin studies.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A theory suggesting that genetic predisposition (diathesis) and environmental stressors contribute to the development of OCD.

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a common treatment for OCD that increases serotonin levels in the brain.

Tricyclics

An older class of antidepressants used as an alternative treatment for OCD, associated with more severe side effects.

SNRIs

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, a newer class of medications for treating OCD.

Efficacy of SSRIs

Research supporting the effectiveness of SSRIs in treating OCD, with studies showing they outperform placebos.

Combination Treatments

The approach of using both psychological (like CBT) and biological treatments (like SSRIs) for more effective OCD management.

Cost-Effectiveness

The financial advantage of using drug treatments for OCD compared to psychological therapies, beneficial for healthcare systems.

Side Effects

Potential negative reactions to OCD medications, including indigestion, blurred vision, weight gain, and increased risk of suicide.