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    Psychopathology Case Studies 2

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    Rimjim Shakir
    The document discusses several key topics related to psychopathology case studies and the treatment of OCD: 1. It examines different definitions of abnormalities, including deviations from social norms, failure to function adequately, and statistical infrequency, noting both strengths and limitations of each approach. 2. It explores genetic and neural explanations for OCD, citing evidence that it is hereditary and associated with levels of serotonin and dopamine as well as structures like the basal ganglia and orbital frontal cortex. 3. It outlines biological drug treatments for OCD using SSRIs to increase serotonin levels and benzodiazepines to reduce anxiety, noting studies showing their effectiveness but also potential side effects that can reduce effectiveness over time.

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    Psychopathology Case Studies 2

    Uploaded by

    Rimjim Shakir
    41 views4 pages
    The document discusses several key topics related to psychopathology case studies and the treatment of OCD: 1. It examines different definitions of abnormalities, including deviations from social norms, failure to function adequately, and statistical infrequency, noting both strengths and limitations of each approach. 2. It explores genetic and neural explanations for OCD, citing evidence that it is hereditary and associated with levels of serotonin and dopamine as well as structures like the basal ganglia and orbital frontal cortex. 3. It outlines biological drug treatments for OCD using SSRIs to increase serotonin levels and benzodiazepines to reduce anxiety, noting studies showing their effectiveness but also potential side effects that can reduce effectiveness over time.

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    PSYCHOPATHOLOGY CASE STUDIES 2

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    The document discusses several key topics related to psychopathology case studies and the treatment of OCD: 1. It examines different definitions of abnormalities, including deviations from social norms, failure to function adequately, and statistical infrequency, noting both strengths and limitations of each approach. 2. It explores genetic and neural explanations for OCD, citing evidence that it is hereditary and associated with levels of serotonin and dopamine as well as structures like the basal ganglia and orbital frontal cortex. 3. It outlines biological drug treatments for OCD using SSRIs to increase serotonin levels and benzodiazepines to reduce anxiety, noting studies showing their effectiveness but also potential side effects that can reduce effectiveness over time.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as odt, pdf, or txt
    41 views4 pages

    Psychopathology Case Studies 2

    Uploaded by

    Rimjim Shakir
    The document discusses several key topics related to psychopathology case studies and the treatment of OCD: 1. It examines different definitions of abnormalities, including deviations from social norms, failure to function adequately, and statistical infrequency, noting both strengths and limitations of each approach. 2. It explores genetic and neural explanations for OCD, citing evidence that it is hereditary and associated with levels of serotonin and dopamine as well as structures like the basal ganglia and orbital frontal cortex. 3. It outlines biological drug treatments for OCD using SSRIs to increase serotonin levels and benzodiazepines to reduce anxiety, noting studies showing their effectiveness but also potential side effects that can reduce effectiveness over time.

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    PSYCHOPATHOLOGY CASE STUDIES:

    Definitions of abnormalities:
    1. Deviation from social norms (explicit+ implicit social norms)

     Limitation: Definition may vary between cultures = suffers from cultural relativism

     Limitation: Society changes over time = lacks temporal validity

     Limitation: Social norms may be seen as form of social control (social norms made by elite in
    society) = discrimination i.e women falling in love with working class men named as having
    ‘nymphomania’ = negative effects on society= marginalisation of those vulnerable in society.

    1. Failure to function adequately:

     7 categories by Rosenhan + Selingham et al – PUIMOVU (Acronym for personal


    distress, Unpredictability, Irrationationality, Maladaptiveness, Observer discomofort,
    Violation of moral strain, Uncoventionality)

     GAF (Global assessment of functioning) – Used to measure a persons functioning


    socially, psychologically + occupationally i.e how well they cope with everyday life +
    responsibilities

     Strength: GAF can help identify degree of abnormality + level of psychriatric help needed
    = Symptoms Quantifiable + easy to treat

     Strength: Rosenhan + Selingham categories can be used as a checklist to identify


    abnormality= receive help quicker

     Limitation: Abnormality does not always show itself

     Limitation: It is normal to go through low periods of life= may not always mean
    abnormality

    1. Statistical infrequency:

     Strength: Real life application= can be used in clinical settings= statistical categories

     Strength: Objective = cut off point = real life data reduces bias = increases validity as an
    measurement of abnormality

     Limitation: Not all statistical infrequent traits are abnormal

     Limitation: Not all statistical traits are abnormal

    1. Deviation From Ideal Mental Health (Jahoda et al):


    Strength: Holistic= looks at person as whole = must fail several categories to be categorised
    as abnormal
    Strength: Used for goal setting = criteria’s model for what ideal mental health looks like =
    positive + optimistic criteria
    Limitation: Impossible to achieve all criterias= unrealistic criteria
    Limitation: subjective criteria = some criteria such as environmental mastery is difficult to
    measure = criteria less effective

    GENETIC EXPLAINATION OF OCD:

     Candidate genes associated with increased vunerability of OCD

     OCD is hereditary

     OCD is polygenic

     Taylor et al mentions possibility pf 230 candidate genes involved

     Tukel et al mentions that variation of COMT gene results in High levels of dopamine +
    low levels of dopamine found + associated in OCD patients

     The 5-HITT has also been associated to OCD resulting in lower levels of serotonin

    Strength: Nedst et al – reviewed twin studies of OCD (MZ twins 68% + DZ twins 31%)
    Strength: Lewis et al – 37% has one parent with OCD, 21% has Sibling with OCD
    Limitation: Not 100% concordance rate for MZ twins of children of parents with OCD therefore
    diathesis stress model may be a better explaination

    Neural explaination of OCD:

     Focuses on role of Neurotransmitters + Brain structures in OCD

     Low levels of serotonin + High levels of Dopamine associated to OCD


     Basal ganglia = coordinates movement= research shows impairment can leas to OCD like
    symptons

     Orbital frontal cortex= associated with converting sensoring information to thoughts +


    actions = research shows high levels of activity in orbital front cortex leads to more
    sensory information being converted in to actions (behaviours) = more compulisons =
    compulsions cannot be inhibited

    Strength: Max et al = disconnecting basal ganglia = reduction in overall symptoms of OCD = shows
    role of Basal ganglia in OCD
    Strength: Real life evidence= serotonin in drug treatment (anti-depressants e,g Prozac) = Higher level
    of serotonin = reduction in symptoms
    Limitation: Correlational not causational = other factors may play a role in causing OCD

    (Biological) Drug treatment of OCD:


    Anti-depressant drugs:

     SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)

     Aim to increase levels of serotonin in the brain

     In normal circumstances serotonin is released into the synapse from vesicles in the pre-
    synaptic neurone the serotonin then diffuses across the synapse till it reaches the receptors
    sites on the post synaptic neurone which is converted into a electrical impulse (action
    potential) passed to neighbouring neurones and reabsorbed into pre-synaptic neurone to be
    reused

     However with people with OCD either less serotonin is being produced and therefore released
    into the synapse or serotonin is being reabsorbed to quickly which either way means
    information about mood is not being transmitted correctly (action potential not fired)
    How SSRI works:

     SSRI block the reuptake of serotonin therefore increasing levels in the synapse

     This results in a action potential in the post synaptic neurone more likely to be fired

    Anti-Anxiety drugs:

     Benzodiapines work by increasing the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA (natural stress
    inhibitor)

     GABA has a inhibitory effect on neurones – makes neurones more negatively charged- less
    likely to fire

     When GABA locks on the receptor site of neurones it increases the influx of chloride ions
    into the neurone

     The chloride ions make it difficult for the receiving neurone to be stimulated by other
    neurotransmitters thus the nervous system is slowed down making the person feel relaxed
     Therefore it has a quitenening effect on the CNS + any anxiety experienced by obsessive
    thoughts is reduced

     Less obsession = less compulsion = improvement in symptoms

    Strength: Somron et al = compared effect of placebo to SSRI= In 17 studies SSRI was more effective
    than placebo in treating OCD = Increased validity of Biological treatment OCD (specifically SSRI)
    Strength: Julein et al = SSRI do not remove symptoms but improve them by 50-80%= patients can
    carry on with everyday life = positive effects on patients livelihoods= allow patients to reintegrate into
    society

    Limitation: Negative side effects (SSRI= Indigestion, high blood pressure, hallucinations + erectional
    problems) (Benzodiapines = addictive + long term memory impairment) = results in drugs being less
    effective = patients no longer take drugs = relapse

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