explanations + treatments for ocd and drepression

Question 1

what explanation is used for OCD and what two ideas does it involve

Answer 1

biological

genetics and neural

Question 2

what does the genetic explanation for ocd involve

Answer 2

• genetic, runs in families, hereditary
• Taylor, 230 genes
• candidate genes such as COMT, gene 9, SERT
• polygenic, more genes = increased chance of developing OCD
• aetiologically heterogeneous

Question 3

what is involved in the neural explanation for ocd

Answer 3

• mental health disorders are due to faulty levels of neurotransmitters in the brain
• ocd is due to low levels of serotonin in the brain
• this effects transmission of mood relevant information
• scans show abnormal functioning in certain areas e.g lateral frontal lobes which are responsible for logical thinking and decision making

Question 4

what at 2 strengths for the biological explanation for ocd

Answer 4

• research to support, Nestadt, twin studies, found a concordance rate of 68% in MZ twins and a concordance rate of 31% for DZ twins
• RWA, led to drug treatment, SSRIs, reduce ocd symptoms by increasing levels of serotonin, Soomro et al

Question 5

what are 2 limitations for the biological approach

Answer 5

• ignores nature, environmental factors are also important, Cromer found 54% of OCD sufferers also reported traumatic life events, many who had worse symptoms had multiple TLEs SO a diathesis stress may be a better explanation
• correlation doesn’t mean causation, ocd may cause faulty functioning or a third factors causes both

Question 6

what are biological treatments for ocd

Answer 6

• SSRIs, stop the reputake of serotonin by the pre synaptic nerve so more binds to the receptors
• 20.-60mg dose
• example = fluoxetine
• combing SSRIs and CBT most effective
• Tricyclics, older SSRI with more side effects, example = Clomipramime
• SNRis target noradrenaline as well as serotonin

Question 7

what are 2 strengths for the biological treatment for ocd

Answer 7

• research evidence for their efficiency, Soomro, when compared to placebo the drug had better results (more effective) shows they actually work
• cheaper and less disruptive than psychological treatments, less time consuming, CBT takes between 5-20 sessions, costly to patient/NHS

Question 8

what are 2 limitations for biological treatments for ocd

Answer 8

• side effects, digestion problems, blurred vision and loss of sex drive, may deter people from choosing this treatment
• ignores other factors such as the environment, Nestadt concordance wasn’t 100%, Cromer traumatic events

Question 9

what is the explanation for depression and what 2 psychologists does it involve

Answer 9

cognitive

Beck and Ellis

Question 10

what is Becks theory about depression

Answer 10

• faulty information processing leads to depression e.g attend to the negative or blow small problems out of proportion
• nag give self schema
• negative viewers about self, world and future (triad)

Question 11

what is Ellis’ theory about depression

Answer 11

ABC model

Activating event (negative event)
Beleif (irrational) e.g musterbation
- consequence, emotional and behavioural

Question 12

what are 2 strengths of the cognitive explanation for depression

Answer 12

• research evidence to support, Grazioli and Terry, 65 pregnant women, found that women who had faulty thinking pre giving birth were more likely to experience post part uk depression, supports the theory
• RWA, CBT, therapist can challenge negative triad and patient can test it, March et al CBT works 81% of the time

Question 13

limitations for the cognitive explanation for depression

Answer 13

• ignores other explanations, e.g biological, SSRIs work so may involve neurotransmitters