1. Paper Two Revision: OCD

2. 13D

3. Key Question
Describe Explain Discuss Evaluate

4. To what extent does neurotransmitter functioning provide an explanation for SZ?

5. Assess the usefulness of quantitative and qualitative research in interviews and case studies from Clinical Psychology

6. 13E

7. Basal Ganglia
Prefrontal Orbital Cortex
Cingulate Gryus

8. Biological Explanation
Basil Ganglia: movement, plays an important role in addictive behaviors and habit formation **** patients with OCD appear to have different levels of brain activity in this area Prefrontal Orbital Cortex: decisions about appropriate social behaviour occurs here *****more brain activity in this area, which leads to feelings of worry and concern Cingulate gyrus: part of the limbic system that helps to regulate emotion, drives the body’s conscious responses to unpleasant experiences, orients the body away from negative stimuli ** different levels of brain activity

9. Loop of Circuit

10. This circuit regulates primitive aspects of our behaviour such as aggression, sexuality, and bodily excretions.
When this circuit is activated, these impulses are brought to your attention and cause you to perform a particular behaviour that appropriately addresses the impulse.
For example, after a visit to the bathroom, you may begin to wash your hands to remove any harmful germs you may have encountered.
Once you have performed the appropriate behaviour — in this case, washing your hands — the impulse from this brain circuit diminishes and you stop washing your hands and go about your day.
It has been suggested that if you have OCD, your brain has difficulty turning off or ignoring impulses from this circuit.
This, in turn means the obsessions and compulsions continue, leading you to wash your hands again and again

11. Serotonin
Abnormalities, or an imbalance in the neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, serotonin, may also help explain OCD.
Serotonin is the chemical in the brain that sends messages between brain cells and it is thought to be involved in regulating everything from anxiety, to memory, to sleep.
Medications known as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used to treat OCD
Studies have shown that OCD patients tend to have lower levels of this neurotransmitter (NT).
Because serotonin is essential for nerve cell communication, it has been proposed that the dysfunction of the “worry circuit/loop” may be caused by the imbalance of serotonin.
Baxter et al. (1992) proposed that the 3 brain parts involved in the "worry circuit" can become unlinked with Prozac (SSRI). Evidence for the breakup of the "worry circuit" comes from PET scans which show less activity in the right caudate nucleus after effective pharmacological or psychological therapy.

12. SZ: Treatment
Drug Therapy: Typical Atypical

13. How do they work? Social control? Ethics?
Helps to reduce the level of dopamine in areas of the brain associated with the symptoms
Primary mechanism of action:
blocking the dopamine receptors
Prevents dopamine binding to receptors
Depolarises neurons
Mainly block D2 receptors
Atypical
Do not bind to receptors as tightly as typical psychotics
They also block 5GT2a (serotonin receptors)
This difference in action is thought to reduce side effects (Seeman, 2002)
Less risk of movement disorders (uncontrollable movements)
Tablet form
Or injections (especially when there is a risk that a patient will not comply with the treatment regimen themselves
Social control?
Ethics?

14. CBT for schizophrenia
Symptoms are focused on rationally, accepting them and their experience of them
Focus on the individual
One to one sessions (weekly for weeks or longer)
Focus on therapist being supportive and non-threatening
Collaboration between patient and therapist is required

15. Process of CBT for schizophrenia – following an acute phase
Belief modification
Focusing and reattribution
Normalising
Cognitive therapy

16. OCD: Treatment Drug Therapy: Altering chemicals in the brain
SSRIs (serotonin involved in the brain circuit)
Blocking the reuptake of serotonin by the presynaptic neuron, leaving more in the post synaptic
Evidence to suggest that serotonin levels are low.

17. CBT:
* Focusing on obsessive thoughts and what is going on at the time.
Look at page 85 of textbook
ERP is actual exposure to fear and compulsion

18. Key Question
Describe Explain Discuss Evaluate

19. Assess the usefulness of quantitative and qualitative research in interviews and case studies from Clinical Psychology