Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology: Psychopathology > Biological Approach in OCD > Flashcards

Biological Approach in OCD Flashcards

1
Q

How do we treat OCD using ideas of the biological approach?

A

Drug Therapy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does drug therapy in mental disorders aim to achieve?

A

increase or decrease levels of or activity of neurotransmitters to restore a normal balance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How is OCD and serotonin associated?

A

low levels of serotonin related to OCD

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What standard medical treatment is used to tackle symptoms of OCD?

A

SSRIs
(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How do SSRIs treat OCD?

A

prevent reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin at presynaptic neurone, increase levels of serotonin in synapse and thus stimulates postsynaptic neurone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What do drug therapies reduce?

A

emotional symptoms (anxiety and depression)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is used alongside SSRIs to benefit OCD patients?

A

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the alternatives to SSRIs?

A

TRICYCLICS
SNRIs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are tricyclics?

A

type of antidepressant which acts on various system including the serotonin regulating system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are SNRIs?

A

serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors which increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Why are OCD patients prescribed SSRIs alternatives?

A

the current prescription is not effective for the patient and so instead of increasing dosage other drugs are trialled as people’s bodies respond differently to each drug

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How can we evaluate the BIOLOGICAL APPROACH in treating OCD?

A

R: Clear evidence- Mustafa Soomro et al. reviewed 17 studies comparing SSRIs to placebos- All 17 studies showed significantly better outcomes with SSRIs, symptoms reduced for 70% people- Remaining 30% helped through alternative drug therapies, combining drugs and psychological therapies- Validities effectiveness of drugs in treating OCD
Bias- Goldacre posed wether researchers selectively publish positive outcomes for drugs they are sponsored by- are these drugs truly effective or have we been lead to believe they are? lowers validity greatly, criticises reliability
A: Doesn’t treat ALL with OCD- small minority receive NO benefit from use of SSRIs- limits generalisability of drug therapies
I: Cost-effective- thousands of drug products manufactured in time it takes for ONE psychological therapy session- good value for public health systems like NHS who endure limited funds- economical validity
Non-disruptive- no need to organise and plan for psychological therapies- drug therapy easily accessible- psychological therapies time-consuming- drug therapies do not affect work/social life
Serious side effects- indigestion, blurred vision, lower sex drive- distressing even if temporary, small minority permanent effects- tricyclic clomipramine associated with weight gain and heart-related issues- reduced quality of life DAMAGING applicability and questioning potential risk vs benefit
S: Biological Approach heavily scientific- clear link between regulation of serotonin and OCD- SSRIs apply objective measures to target and reduce symptoms of OCD- high validity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Who researched the genetic explanation for OCD?

A

Lewis 1936

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Outline Lewis’ study into the genetic explanation for OCD?

A

observed 37% had parents with OCD and 21% also had siblings with OCD- demonstrated it ran in families

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are candidate genes for OCD?

A

identified genes which create vulnerability for OCD

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What gene is implicated in the transport of serotonin?

A

5HT1-D beta

17
Q

What is meant by OCD being polygenic?

A

OCD not caused by one single gene but a combination of genetic variations

18
Q

How many genes did Taylor determine to cause OCD?

A

230 genes

19
Q

What neurotransmitters are involved in OCD?

A

dopamine
serotonin

20
Q

How are there different types of OCD?

A

one group of genes may cause OCD in one person yet another set may cause the disorder in another person- KNOWN AS AETIOLOGICALLY HETEROGENOUS

21
Q

What is meant by aetiologically heterogenous in relation to OCD?

A

origins of OCD vary from one person to another

22
Q

How is serotonin involved with OCD?

A

low levels of serotonin then normal-transmission of mood-relevant information does not take place and the person may experience low moods

23
Q

What is impaired decision-making associated with in OCD?

A

abnormal functioning of lateral frontal lobes of the brain which are typically responsible for logical thinking and making decisions

24
Q

How are unpleasant emotions associated in OCD?

A

abnormally functioning of parahippocampal gyrus

25
Q

How can we evaluate genetic explanations for OCD?

A

R: Nestadt et al- reviewed twin studies, found 68% identical twins (monozygotic share 100% genes) shared OCD as opposed to 31% non-identical twins- clear evidence for genetic explanation- high validity
Evidence from animal studies- Amhari- mice- found candidate genes, particular genes associated with repetitive behaviours- increases validity through supporting research
HOWEVER
Human mind more complex than mice- even if they share majority of genes- less generalisable from animal repetitive behaviours to humans and OCD
A:
I:
S:
E: Environmental risk factors- not wholly genetics- environment can trigger or increase risk of developing OCD- Cromer et al- half OCD participants in sample experienced traumatic event in past- OCD more severe in those who had multiple traumas- genetic only partial explanation- limits applicability and validity

26
Q

What are the two main explanations for OCD?

A

-genetic explanations
-neural explanations

27
Q

How can we evaluate a neural explanation for OCD?

A

R: antidepressants for serotonin- effective in reducing OCD symptoms- further suggests influence of serotonin- provides validity
A: serotonin-OCD link may not be unique to OCD- many with OCD also have clinical depression- having two disorder called co-morbidity- depression most likely to disrupt action of serotonin- confusion as to whether serotonin basis for OCD- serotonin may not be relevant to OCD symptoms- damages validity
I:
S: correlation and causality- some evidence show neural systems work abnormally- according to biological model of mental disorder most easily explained by brain dysfunction causing OCD- simply correlation between neural abnormality and OCD- doesn’t indicate causal relationship- criticises validity
E:

Psychology: Psychopathology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions