OCD

1. Prevalence similar in males & females - unlike most anxiety disorders (female heavy)

2. NOT delusion - individual has insight & awareness of disorder NOT psychotic - no loss of contact with reality

3. Epidemiology

3.1. 1% prevalence - young adults & teenagers

3.2. Chronic - lifelong

4. Further reading

4.1. Stein (2002)

4.1.1. OCD = example of neuropsychiatric disorder moderated by neuronal pathways

4.1.2. Responsive to drug & therapy treatment

4.1.3. Once viewed as rare // one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders

4.1.4. Obsessions increase anxiety Compulsions reduce anxiety

5. Obsessions

5.1. Cause anxiety

5.2. Intrusive, negative & unpleasant thoughts, image, fears or impulses

5.3. Greatest fear is acting upon obsession

5.4. Individual recognises that they're irrational & try to resist

6. Compulsions

6.1. Behaviours / acts to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions - usually avoidance

6.2. Quasi rituals - performed unwillingly, e.g. safe numbers, whereby an individual repeats a behaviour a certain number of times to reduce anxiety

6.3. Broken ritual = start again

6.4. May not be logically consistent, e.g. compulsive hand washing // don't shower

7. Treatments

7.1. Psychological therapy

7.1.1. CBT

7.1.1.1. Cognitive = obsessions

7.1.1.2. Behavioural = compulsions

7.2. Drugs

7.2.1. SSRIs, most common, e.g. Prozac / Fluoxetine

7.2.1.1. Reduce anxiety & emotional fluctuations

7.2.2. BZs, e.g. Diazepam / Valium

7.2.2.1. Powerful tranquilizer

7.2.3. Tricyclic antidepressants, e.g. Clomipramine

7.2.3.1. Work on serotonergic system (like SSRIs) // suicidal side effects