biological approach to explaining/ treating OCD

Question 1

what approach is used to explain OCD?

Answer 1

the biological explanation

Question 2

what are candidate genes?

Answer 2

they are inherited genes which are vulnerable to OCD. some of these are involved in the production of serotonin.

Question 3

ODC is p…..

Answer 3

polygenic

Question 4

what does OCD is polygenic mean?

Answer 4

it is caused by combinations of genes not just one.

Question 5

who researched OCD being polygenic?

Answer 5

Taylor (2013) found that up to 230 different genes may be involved in OCD.
they have found to be associated with dopamine and serotonin

Question 6

how many different genes may be involved in OCD?

Answer 6

230

Question 7

different types of OCD

Answer 7

one group of genes may cause OCD in one person but a different group of genes may cause OCD in another person.

Question 8

what is the main aspect of the neural explanation?

Answer 8

the role of serotonin, neurotransmitters

Question 9

what is the role of serotonin in OCD?

Answer 9

it is thought that OCD could be caused by serotonin being absorbed faster than it is being produced, causing depleted serotonin levels

Question 10

what are the two studies done on genetics?

Answer 10

•lewis (1936)
•Nestadt (2010)

Question 11

what was Lewis’ study?

Answer 11

he conducted a family study (on parents/ siblings) and looked at incidence rates
he found that 37% of people with OCD had parents with the condition, and 21% had siblings with OCD as well
•shows a genetic link

Question 12

what was Nestadt’s study?

Answer 12

he conducted a twin study, using identical and non-identical twins
•68% of identical twins shared OCD
•31% of non-identical twins shared OCD

Question 13

what do vesicles do?

Answer 13

produce, release and re absorb neurotransmitters

Question 14

evaluation points for the biological explanation of OCD

Answer 14

strength: drug therapies (SSRI)
limitation: co-morbidity with depression (might be treating depression not OCD)
limitation: we should not assume neural mechanisms cause OCD (they may be a consequence of OCD rather than the cause)

Question 15

what is the biological approach to treating OCD?

Answer 15

drug therapy

Question 16

what drug is used to treat OCD

Answer 16

an SSRI

Question 17

what does SSRI stand for?

Answer 17

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 18

what theory is the drug therapy based upon?

Answer 18

that OCD is caused by depleted serotonin in the synapse, as it is absorbed faster than it is being produced

Question 19

how would SSRI’s help treat OCD?

Answer 19

it increases the levels of serotonin in the synapse while continuing to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron

Question 20

what are SSRI’s often combined with?

Answer 20

CBT therapy to give a more holistic approach

Question 21

evaluation points for drug therapy

Answer 21

strength: drug therapy is effective
strength: cost-effective and non-disruptive
limitation: side effects
limitation: sceptical about drug research

Question 22

strength: drug therapy is effective

Answer 22

•Soomro conducted a study which showed that the SSRI was more effective than the placebo drug
•typically symptoms decline significantly for 70% of patients taking SSRI’s
•shows SSRIs are effective in reducing OCD symptoms
•the other 30% can benefit from a combination of drugs and CBT

Question 23

what was Soomro’s study?

Answer 23

•he conducted a meta analysis on 17 studies and concluded that they all showed the SSRI was more effective than a placebo drug
•typically symptoms decline significantly for 70% of patients taking SSRI’s
•shows they are effective in reducing OCD symptoms
•the other patients can benefit from a combination of drugs and CBT

Question 24

strength: cost effective and non-disruptive

Answer 24

•they are inexpensive
•the require a lot less effort in comparison to engaging in a regular talking therapy, so they are more accessible for the more severe cases
•suitable for a diverse range of patients

Question 25

limitation: side effects

Answer 25

•can cause side effects like blurred vision, loss of sex drive, erection problems, tremors, weight gain
•such factors reduce the effectiveness because people stop taking the medication

Question 26

limitation: sceptical about drug research

Answer 26

•drug trials are conducted by pharmaceutical companies
•70% of drug research does not get published, so Soomra’s meta analysis was only based on 30% of total research
•publisher bias, they only publish flattering research to make a profit

Question 27

what is the neural approach referring to?

Answer 27

SEROTONIN
synaptic connections and neurotransmitters