Explaining OCD Flashcards
Outline the genetic explanation
It’s an explaination that dictates that genes are invoooled in ones vulnerability to developing OCD
What did Lewis (1936) find?
37% of people w. OCD had parents w. OCD
21% had siblings w. OCD
This explanation suggests a genetic v___________ not a c_______ for OCD
Vulnerability
Certainty
Explain ‘candidate genes’
- a part of the genetic explaination
- they are genes that cause a vulnerability for developing OCD.
- E.G: 5HT1-D beta
What is an example of a candidate gene and what is it involved in?
5ht1-D beta
Involved in the transport of serotonin
Explain why OCD is polygenic
OCD is not just caused by one gene but rather a combination of them
Over 230 different genes may be involved in the development of genes
Even though OCD is polygenic most if the genes all relate to what?
The transportation of neurotransmitters
Explain tat there are different types of OCD
1 group of genes in 1 person may cause a OCD or different combinations are a causation to the type of OCD (like hoarding disorder)
This can change and be different in another
Called aetiologically heterogenous
Define aetiologically heterogenous
The origins of OCD may vary from person to person
Outline the Neural explanations
OCD is affected the the levels of key neurotransmitters
What are the 2 different explanations?
Genetic & Neural
What is the role of serotonin
- OCD has been linked to the levels of serotonin that regulate mood
- if one has too little of the neurotransmitter the transmission of the mood dependant info does not take place
Explain the “decisions making systems”
OCD has also been liked with the impression decision making due to the abnormal function of the:
- Lateral frontal lobes
- Parahippocampal gyrus
They are both assicaotied with decision making(1) and the processing of unpleasant emotions (2)
What is the parahippocampal gyrus responsible for?
The processing of unpleasant emotions
What is the lateral frontal lobes responsible for?
Decision making
What is the Strength of the genetic explanation
RS
P: Research support
E: (Twin studies)Nesdat (2010) found 68% of identical (MZ) shared OCD as opposed to 31% of non-identical twins (DZ)
E: TMT there is some genetic influence in the dev. Of OCD
What is a weakness of the genetic explanation
External factors
P: Environmental risk factors
E:OCD is not entirely genetic. Cromer (2007) found that OVER HALF of the OCD patients had a traumatic life event occur
E: TMT genetic only provides a partial explanations
List the 2 strength and 2 weaknessess
- RESEARCH SUPPORT x2
- Every neural system is different
- Environmental factors
What is the strength of the neural explanation
P: Research support
E: Antidepressants that only work on serotonin have ben proven to be effective at reducing OCD symptom.
E: TMT biological factors like serotonin could be responsible for OCD
Wht is the weakness of the neural explanation
P: Unique neural system
E: Many people who have OCD have clinical depression. (Having 2 disorders is called co-morbidity) This impacts the function and transmission of serotonin.
E: TMT it could be that the serotonin activity is disrupted because they are depressed as well. Meaning that serotonin may not be relevant to the symptoms of OCD
Define ‘ Co - morbidity’
When someone had 2 psychological disorders
