OCD Flashcards
2 behavioural characteristics
Compulsive behaviour (repetitive and reduce anxiety) and avoidance of triggers
2 emotional characteristics
Anxiety and depression
2 cognitive characteristics
Obsessive thoughts and being hyper vigilant
Biological approach to explaining OCD- family history
Lewis looked at the family history of his OCD patients and 37% had parents with OCD and 21% had siblings with OCD. This suggests passing on genetic vulnerability.
Biological approach to explaining OCD-Diathesis stress
The diathesis stress model shows people gain a vulnerability towards OCD through genes but and environmental stressor is also required.
The biological approach to explaining OCD- the COMT gene
The COMT gene creates an enzyme that regulates dopamine in the brain. High levels of dopamine = OCD.
The biological approach to explaining OCD - the SERT gene
The SERT gene creates a protein that removes serotonin and recycles it. Low serotonin = OCD.
The biological approach to explaining OCD-Neural explanation
If the basal ganglia is hypersensitive, it gives rise to repetitive motor behaviours seen in OCD.
Treating OCD- what are SSRIs?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They increase serotonin levels by preventing re-absorption of serotonin by the pre-synaptic neutron.
Treating OCD- combining SSRIs with other treatments
They’re often used with CBT so that the patient can engage with CBT when they have reduced emotional symptoms.
Treating OCD- alternatives to SSRIs
Dose can be increased or combined with other drugs if it’s not effective.
- Tricyclics have the same effect on serotonin but more side effects
- SNRIs increase serotonin and noradrenaline
Genetic explanations
Strength- research support
Nestadt conducted a meta-analysis of twin studies and found a concordance rate of 68% for identical twins with OCD as opposed to 31% for non-identical twins. However if it was genetics alone that caused OCD then it would be 100%.
Genetic explanations
Weakness- identity confusion with twins
Twins are often treated as one person in twin studies and it can lead to identity confusion and we don’t know if the genes or environment are causing OCD.
Genetic explanations
Weakness- little predictive value
Having OCD genes is not enough to say if someone will have OCD. Environmental factors like having trauma should be considered too.
Neural explanations
Strength- effective SSRIs
Drugs that are used to treat OCD work by increasing serotonin levels. This shows the principles of the biological approach are valid because they say OCD is caused by low serotonin.
Neural explanations
Strength- research support
Cavedini found that people with OCD showed abnormal functioning in their frontal lobes in comparison to a non-OCD control group. The supports the ideas on the basal ganglia.
Neural explanations
Weakness- cause and effect can’t be established
We can’t be sure if the damanage to the brain area causes OCD or if having OCD effects how the brain area functions. There is just a correlation between neural abnormality and OCD so both could be influenced by a 3rd variable.
Treatments for OCD
Strength- research support
Both SRIs and SSRIs are effective forms of treatment. Soomoro reviewed studies comparing SSRIs to placebos and the SSRIs were more effective.
Treatments for OCD
Weakness- therapy may be more effective
Therapy leads to a lower relapse rate (perhaps because patients forget to take the drugs). Simpson found after 12 weeks, almost half of drug patients relapsed but only 12% of therapy patients relapsed.
Treatments for OCD
Strength- drugs are more convient
Drugs remain the most common treatment for OCD even though they have drawbacks. They are cheap, easy to take and font involve giving up time for therapy sessions.
