OCD

Question 1

OCD

Answer 1

OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by obsessions and compulsions

Question 2

Obsessions

Answer 2

Thoughts that are unwanted and cause anxiety

Question 3

Compulsions

Answer 3

Repetitive behaviours that reduce the anxiety

Question 4

Behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 4

1. Compulsions
2. Avoidance

Question 5

Cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 5

1. Obsessions
2. Strategies to cope
3. Insight into anxiety

Question 6

Genetic link of OCD

Answer 6

Argued that those who suffer from OCD have genetic vulnerability
They have a combination of certain candidate genes that use OCD

Question 7

Twin studies

Answer 7

Nestadt 2010 found concordance rates for OCD of 68% for MZ twins and 31% for DZ twins
This supports genetic basis for OCD as concordance rates higher for MZ twins

Question 8

Emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 8

1. Anxiety
2. Depression
3. Guilt

Question 9

Limitation of genetic explanation of OCD
Reductionist

Answer 9

P: reductionist
E: concordance rates in twin studies are not 100% so genetics isn’t only explanation for OCD so they have failed to consider other causes eg environment
C: limits understanding and treatment

Question 10

Limitation of genetic explanation of OCD
Can be criticised

Answer 10

P: twin studies can be criticised as a way of determining whether a behaviour is genetic
E: twins share same environment so it’s difficult to determine whether a behaviour is genetic
C: difficult to separate importance of nature vs nurture.

Question 11

Role of neurotransmitters in OCD

Answer 11

An imbalance of serotonin is thought to play a role in OCD.
Thought that low levels cause OCD
Could also explain link between OCD and depression

Question 12

Supportive studies of role of neurotransmitters in OCD

Answer 12

PET scans have shown lower levels of serotonin activity in the brains of OCD patients. Anti depressant drugs that increase serotonin have been found to reduce OCD symptoms
Hu 2006 found lower levels of serotonin levels in OCD patients than non OCD patients

Question 13

Basal Ganglia and OCD

Answer 13

overactive in those with OCD.
Basal ganglia causes unwanted movements + stops unwanted behaviours
Brain surgery to disconnect basal ganglia has shown to reduce symptoms of OCD
head injuries that damage basal ganglia are most likely to develop OCD

Question 14

Orbitofrontal cortex in OCD

Answer 14

Drives us to carry out checking behaviours
Overactive in people with OCD - hyperactive

Question 15

Strength of neural explanation
Developed treatments

Answer 15

P: neural explanation has led to development of treatments eg anti depressants
E: anti depressants are used to correct the imbalance of serotonin. So the symptoms of OCD will be reduced
C: better quality of life

Question 16

Strength of neural explanation
Studies are scientific

Answer 16

P: the supportive studies are scientific
E: researchers have used PET scans to study the brain. Researcher has high levels of control over their study and it’s replicable
C: C+E relationship eg high levels of serotonin caused OCD

Question 17

Biological explanation to treating OCD.
what does drug therapy aim to do?

Answer 17

Increase or decrease the levels of neurotransmitter in the brain

Question 18

What are SSRIs

Answer 18

Selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors
They are a form of antidepressant and work on serotonin levels in the brain
Can be used to treat OCD and depression

Question 19

How do SSRIs work

Answer 19

• In those with OCD, serotonin is released into synapse but reuptake process happens too quickly
• Leaving too little in synapse
• SSRIs slow process down by blocking reuptake of neurotransmitter
• by blocking reuptake channels
• more serotonin found within synapse
• so symptoms reduced

Question 20

Examples of SSRIs

Answer 20

Fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram
Dosage differs from person to person
Taken daily in tablet form
May take up to 4 weeks before reduction in symptoms
Could take 3-4 months

Question 21

Strengths of treatment of OCD
effective

Answer 21

P: anti depressants are an effective way of treating people with OCD
E: one study compared SSRIs with placebo drug. 70% decline in symptoms after taking SSRIs
C: shows this form of treatment works, reducing symptoms and therefore, giving sufferers a better quality of life

Question 22

Strengths of treatment of OCD
Cost effective

Answer 22

P: strength of biological approach to treating SSRIs is that SSRIs are effective
E: SSRIs are cheaper than other forms eg CBT, and have been found to be equally effective
C: good for economy as people can go out and spend money

Question 23

Limitations of treatment of OCD
Side effects

Answer 23

P: SSRIs may cause unpleasant side effects for the individual
E: side effects may differ from person to person in terms of severity but common side effects are nausea, headache, insomnia, diarrhoea
C: people won’t be able to go out and socialise so they may become isolated. Lowers quality of life

Question 24

Limitations of treatment of OCD
Treat symptoms

Answer 24

P: SSRIs don’t treat the cause of OCD they only treat the symptoms
E: people may be relieved of symptoms in short term and feel better however when person stops taking medication, symptoms could return again.
C: over dependant on drugs

Question 25

Additional Strength of treatment of OCD
Not disruptive to life

Answer 25

P: taking SSRIs are not disruptive to patient life eg taking a tablet takes seconds
E: a person can engage in treatment without having to arrange CBT sessions which take long time. They would have to try and fit these sessions around their life
C: easier form of treatment for people with OCD to engage with