Explaining OCD

Question 1

Outline the genetic explanation

Answer 1

It’s an explaination that dictates that genes are invoooled in ones vulnerability to developing OCD

Question 2

What did Lewis (1936) find?

Answer 2

37% of people w. OCD had parents w. OCD

21% had siblings w. OCD

Question 3

This explanation suggests a genetic v___________ not a c_______ for OCD

Answer 3

Vulnerability

Certainty

Question 4

Explain ‘candidate genes’

Answer 4

• a part of the genetic explaination
• they are genes that cause a vulnerability for developing OCD.
• E.G: 5HT1-D beta

Question 5

What is an example of a candidate gene and what is it involved in?

Answer 5

5ht1-D beta

Involved in the transport of serotonin

Question 6

Explain why OCD is polygenic

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Even though OCD is polygenic most if the genes all relate to what?

Answer 7

The transportation of neurotransmitters

Question 8

Explain tat there are different types of OCD

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Define aetiologically heterogenous

Answer 9

The origins of OCD may vary from person to person

Question 10

Outline the Neural explanations

Answer 10

OCD is affected the the levels of key neurotransmitters

Question 11

What are the 2 different explanations?

Answer 11

Genetic & Neural

Question 12

What is the role of serotonin

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

Explain the “decisions making systems”

Answer 13

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)

Question 14

What is the parahippocampal gyrus responsible for?

Answer 14

The processing of unpleasant emotions

Question 15

What is the lateral frontal lobes responsible for?

Answer 15

Decision making

Question 16

What is the Strength of the genetic explanation

RS

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is a weakness of the genetic explanation

External factors

Answer 17

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

Question 18

List the 2 strength and 2 weaknessess

Answer 18

• RESEARCH SUPPORT x2
• Every neural system is different
• Environmental factors

Question 19

What is the strength of the neural explanation

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Wht is the weakness of the neural explanation

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Define ‘ Co - morbidity’

Answer 21

When someone had 2 psychological disorders