Explaining OCD - Biological Approach Flashcards

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1
Q

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

A

Classed as an anxiety disorder, characterised by obsessive thinking and repetitive behaviours

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2
Q

Obsessions

A

Internal components because they are intrusive thoughts (something you think)

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3
Q

Compulsions

A

External components because they are repetitive behaviours (something you do) - these reduce anxiety

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4
Q

Biological Explanations

A
  • Sees psychological illness as caused by abnormal psychological processes
  • Two main explanations:
  • Neural: occurrence of OCD through abnormal functioning of neural (brain) mechanisms and neurotransmitters
  • Genetics: hereditary influences through genetic transmissions from parent to offspring
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5
Q

Genetic Explanations: COMT

A
  • Produces enzyme that degrades dopamine
  • Low activity variant (allele) of this gene in OCD patients
  • Impaired ability to degrade dopamine leads to higher levels in synapse
  • Particularly after stress
  • Dopamine = stress hormone
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6
Q

SERT (5-HTT)

A
  • Produces protein that transports serotonin (which reduces stress) back to the presynaptic membrane (reuptake)
  • High activity variant (allele) in OCD patients
  • Serotonin removed too quickly = lower levels received, shorter duration of effects
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7
Q

Neurotransmitters and OCD

A
  • Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters (high dopamine, low serotonin)
  • Dopamine: Excitatory NT, reward/ movement/ memory, habit-forming in OCD
  • Serotonin: Inhibitory NT, appetite/ behavioural impulse control/ mood, impulse control OCD
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8
Q

Neuroanatomy of OCD: Orbitofrontal Cortex

A

Sends signal to the thalamus about things that are worrying - hypervigilance in OCD

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9
Q

Neuroanatomy of OCD: Thalamus

A

Generates impulse to act and then stop activity when impulse lessens - controls motivation/ compulsion in OCD

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10
Q
A
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