biological approach- psychopathology Flashcards
what are genetic explanations
genes involved in individual vulnerability to ocd
lewis- ocd patients 37% had parents with ocd 21% siblings with ocd
ocd runs in families but passed genetic vulnerability not the certainty of ocd
diathesis stress model certain genes leave some people more likely to develop mental disorder but not certain
environmental stress necessary to trigger condition
what are candidate genes
identified genes create vulnerability for ocd
genes involved regulating development serotonin system
what is ocd is polygenic
ocd not caused by single gene but by combination of genetic variations that together increase vulnerability
taylor- analysed findings previous studies and found evidence up to 230 differeent genes may be involved in ocd
genes have been studied in relation to ocd include those associated with action of dopamine as well as serotonin- role in regulating mood
what are different types of ocd
one group of genes may cause ocd in one person but different group of genes may cause the disorder in another perso
aetiologically heterogeneous meaning origins of ocd vary from one person to another
evidence to suggest different types of ocd may be result of particular genetic variations
what is the role of serotonin
help regulate mood
neurotransmitters responsible for relaying info from one neuron to another
person has low levels of serotonin then normal transmission of mood relevant inofo doesnt not take place and person experience low moods
explained by reduction in functioning of serotonin system in the brain
what is decision making systems
associated with impaired decision making
associated with abnormal functioning of lateral of frontal lobes in brain frontal lobes front part of brain responsible for logical thinking and making decisions
devidence suggest area called left parahippocampal gyrus associated with processing unpleasant emotions functions abnormally in ocd
what is strength for egenetic explanation
strong evidence base
evidence from variety of sources which strongly suggests some people vulnerable to ocd as result of genetic makeup
nestatd- reviewed twin studies and found 68% identical twins shared ocd as opposed to 31% non identical twins
research found that person with family member diagnosed with ocd is around four times likely develop it as someone without
research studies suggest there must be some genetic influence on development of ocd
what is weakeness of genetic explanation
environmental risk factors
strong evidence genetic variation make person more or lessvulnerable to ocd
does not appear to be entirely genetic in origin and seems environmental risk factors can trigger or increase risk of developing ocd
cromer- over half ocd clients in their sample experienced traumatic event in their past, ocd more severe in thos e with one or more traumas
only provides partial expkanation for ocd
what is strength of neural explanation
existence of supporting evidence
antidepressants work on serotonin effective in reducing ocd symptoms suggests serotonin incolved in ocd
ocd symptoms form part of conditions known to be biological in origin- degenerative brain disorder parkinsons disease causes muscle tremors and paralysis
biological disorder produces ocd symptoms assume biological processes underlie ocd
biological factors responsible for ocd
what is weakness for neural explanation
serotonin ocd link not unique to ocd
experience clinical depression
two disorders- comorbidity
depression involves disruption to action of serotonin
could be serotonin activity disrupted in people with ocd because they are depressed as well
may not be relevant to ocd symptoms
SSRIS
selective seratonin reuptake inhibitor
work on seratonin system
seratonin releaased by neurons by presynaptic neurons and travels acoss synapse
neurotransmitte chemically conveys signal from the presynaptic neuron to postynaptic neuron and the its reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and reused
preventing reabsorption and breakdown ssris increase levels of seratonin in the synaose to continue to stimulate postsynaptic neuron- compensates for whatever is wrong
daily dose fluoxetine 20mg may be increased if not benefiting, capsules or liquid, 3-4 months to have impact
combining ssris with other treatments
cbt
drugs reduce emotional symptoms to engage more with cbt
alternative to ssris
dose can be increased if not effective after 3-4mths or combined with another drug
tricyclics- such as clomipramine, acts on various systems including seratonin where has same effect as ssris, more severe side effects so kept in reserve for people who dont respond to ssris
snris- seratonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, second line defence for people who dont respond to ssris, increase levels of seratonin as well as noradrenaline
evidence for effectiveness (treatment)
evidence for effectiveness
clear evidence to show ssris reduce symptoms serverity and improve quality of life
soomro- reviewed 17 studies compared ssris to placebos, all 17 showed signf better outcomes for ssris than for placebo conditions
symptoms reduced for around 70% of people
30% could be helped by either alternative drugs or combination of drugs and psychological therapies
drugs appear to be helpful for most people
some evidence to suggest that even if drug treatments are helpful they may not be the most effective
skapinakis- systematic review of outcome studies and concluded both cognitive and behavioural therapies were more effective than ssris
drugs may not be optimum treatment for ocd
cost effective and non disruptive (treatment)
cost effective and non disruptive
cheap compared to psychological treatments, drugs can be manufactured in the time it takes to conduct one session of therapy
good value for public health systems and represents good use of limited funds
non disruptive- psychological therapy involves time spent attending therapy sessions
drugs popular with ocd patients ans their doctors
