1
OCD
Specification
The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD).
The biological approach to explaining and treating OCD: genetic and neural
explanations; drug therapy.
Characteristics of OCD
Behavioural
1. Compulsions are repetitive
Typically sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour. A common
example is hand washing. Other common compulsive repetitions include counting,
praying and tidying/ordering groups of objects.
2. Avoidance
The behaviour of OCD sufferers may also be characterised by their avoidance as
they attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it.
For example, sufferers who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with
germs. This can then interfere with leading a normal life (e.g. by not emptying the
bin).
3. Social impairment
Reduced levels of interaction with friends and family occur.
Emotional
1. Anxiety and distress
OCD is regarded as a particularly unpleasant emotional experience because of the
powerful anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions.
2. Accompanying depression
OCD is often accompanied by depression, so anxiety can be accompanied by low
mood and lack of enjoyment in activities.
3. Guilt and disgust
As well anxiety and depression, OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions
such as irrational guilt, for example over minor moral issues, or disgust, which may
be directed against something external like dirt or at the self.
Cognitive
, 2
1. Obsessive thoughts
For around 90% of OCD sufferers, the major cognitive feature of their condition is
obsessive thoughts, i.e. thoughts recur over and over again. These vary
considerably from person to person but are always unpleasant. Examples of
recurring thoughts are worries of being contaminated by dirt and germs or certainty
that a door has been left unlocked and that intruders will enter through it or
impulses to hurt someone.
2. Insight into excessive activity
People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are
not rational. In fact, this is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD.
3. Catastrophic thoughts
OCD sufferers frequently experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case
scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified.
4. Hypervigilance
OCD sufferers also tend to be hypervigilant i.e. they maintain constant alertness
and keep attention focused on potential hazards.
The biological approach to
explaining OCD: the genetic
explanation
The basic idea
A popular explanation for mental disorders is that they are inherited.
This would mean that individuals inherited specific genes from their parents that
are related to the onset of OCD.
The COMT gene
The COMT gene may contribute to OCD.
One form of the COMT gene has been found to be more common in OCD patients
than people without the disorder.
This variation that produces lower activity of the COMT gene and so higher levels
of dopamine.
High levels of dopamine lead to compulsions.
The SERT gene
OCD
Specification
The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD).
The biological approach to explaining and treating OCD: genetic and neural
explanations; drug therapy.
Characteristics of OCD
Behavioural
1. Compulsions are repetitive
Typically sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour. A common
example is hand washing. Other common compulsive repetitions include counting,
praying and tidying/ordering groups of objects.
2. Avoidance
The behaviour of OCD sufferers may also be characterised by their avoidance as
they attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it.
For example, sufferers who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with
germs. This can then interfere with leading a normal life (e.g. by not emptying the
bin).
3. Social impairment
Reduced levels of interaction with friends and family occur.
Emotional
1. Anxiety and distress
OCD is regarded as a particularly unpleasant emotional experience because of the
powerful anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions.
2. Accompanying depression
OCD is often accompanied by depression, so anxiety can be accompanied by low
mood and lack of enjoyment in activities.
3. Guilt and disgust
As well anxiety and depression, OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions
such as irrational guilt, for example over minor moral issues, or disgust, which may
be directed against something external like dirt or at the self.
Cognitive
, 2
1. Obsessive thoughts
For around 90% of OCD sufferers, the major cognitive feature of their condition is
obsessive thoughts, i.e. thoughts recur over and over again. These vary
considerably from person to person but are always unpleasant. Examples of
recurring thoughts are worries of being contaminated by dirt and germs or certainty
that a door has been left unlocked and that intruders will enter through it or
impulses to hurt someone.
2. Insight into excessive activity
People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are
not rational. In fact, this is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD.
3. Catastrophic thoughts
OCD sufferers frequently experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case
scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified.
4. Hypervigilance
OCD sufferers also tend to be hypervigilant i.e. they maintain constant alertness
and keep attention focused on potential hazards.
The biological approach to
explaining OCD: the genetic
explanation
The basic idea
A popular explanation for mental disorders is that they are inherited.
This would mean that individuals inherited specific genes from their parents that
are related to the onset of OCD.
The COMT gene
The COMT gene may contribute to OCD.
One form of the COMT gene has been found to be more common in OCD patients
than people without the disorder.
This variation that produces lower activity of the COMT gene and so higher levels
of dopamine.
High levels of dopamine lead to compulsions.
The SERT gene
