Psych: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this anxiety-linked psychiatric condition – perfect for exam prep and clinical understanding!🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• OCD is a chronic psychiatric condition marked by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) aimed at reducing distress.📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Genetics – family history of OCD or other mental illnesses• Neurotransmitter dysregulation – especially serotonin• Environmental stressors (e.g. trauma, pregnancy)• Male gender (early onset), childhood onset🧠 Mnemonic: "GEMS" – Genetics, Environment, Male onset, Serotonin imbalance📌 Pathophysiology• Dysfunction in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit• Abnormal serotonin and glutamate signaling causes persistent intrusive thoughts and compulsive responses📌 Symptoms• Obsessions: contamination fears, harm thoughts, taboo images• Compulsions: checking, washing, arranging, counting• Time-consuming (>1 hour/day), causes significant distress🧠 Mnemonic: "OCD = Obsessions + Compulsions + Distress"📌 Differential Diagnosis• Generalised Anxiety Disorder• Body Dysmorphic Disorder• Hoarding Disorder• Specific Phobias• Tourette’s Syndrome• Depression with ruminations📌 Diagnosis• Clinical assessment (DSM-5 or ICD-11 criteria)• Tools: Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)• No lab test – diagnosis is entirely clinical📌 Management• 1st line: CBT with Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)• SSRIs: fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine• Severe/refractory: add clomipramine or antipsychotics (e.g. risperidone)• Children: specialist referral (CAMHS), CBT + cautious SSRI use• Continue treatment for ≥1 year post-remission🧠 Mnemonic: "SSRI + CBT = OCD Relief"📌 Complications• Functional impairment (work, school, social life)• Depression, anxiety, substance misuse• ↑ Risk of suicide and self-harm📌 Prognosis• Good with early treatment• Remission possible but relapse common• Long-term management may be needed📎 More MSRA Resources for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/psychiatry-for-the-msra/#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQ&ANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #Psychiatry #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder