OCD Flashcards
The biological approach to explaining OCD : What are the genetic explanations?
Researchers have identified specific genes which create a vulnerability for OCD , Serotonin genes and Dopamine genes. OCD is polygenic as OCD is not caused by one single gene but several genes are involved.
Different variations of OCD are caused by different combinations of genes.
The biological approach to explaining OCD : What are the neural explanations?
Low levels of serotonin lowers mood. Decision-making systems in frontal lobes impaired.
Name one strength AO3 of the genetic explanation ?
P - One strength is evidence for the genetic explanation of OCD.
E - Nestadt et al reviewed twin studies and found that 68% of identical twins shared OCD as opposed to 31% of non-identical twins. They also found that someone with a family member with OCD is four times more likely to develop it as well.
E - This means that people who are genetically similar are more likely to share OCD, supporting a role for genetic vulnerability.
Name one limitation AO3 of the genetic explanation?
P - One limitation is the existence of environmental risk factors (diathesis-stress model)
E - Environmental factors increase the risk of of OCD not just genetics. Cromer et al found in one sample over half of people with OCD experienced a traumatic event.
E - This means that genetic vulnerability only provides a partial explanation for OCD.
Name one strength AO3 of the neural explanation?
P - One strength of the neural model is supporting evidence.
E - Antidepressants that work on serotonin reduce OCD symptoms. This suggests that serotonin may be involved with OCD.
E - This means that biological factors are likely to be involved in OCD.
Name one limitation AO3 of the neural explanation?
P - One limitation of the neural model is there is no unique neural system.
E - Many people with OCD also experience depression. This depression probably involves disruption to the action of serotonin. It could simply be that serotonin activity is disrupted in many people with OCD because they are depressed as well.
E - This means that serotonin may not be relevant to OCD symptoms.
The biological approach to treating OCD : What is the treatment for OCD ?
Drug therapy with most commonly with SSRIs. They prevent the reabsorption and breakdown of serotonin in the brain. This increases its levels in the synapse and thus serotonin continues to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron. It takes 3-4 months of daily use for them to start having effect. Also combining them with CBT since the drugs can decrease their levels of of anxiety making it easier for them to interact in their CBT sessions. There is also SNRI.
Name one strength AO3 of the drug therapy to treating OCD ?
P - One strength of drug therapy is its effectiveness.
E - Soomro et al reviewed 17 studies of SSRIs for the treatment of OCD. All 17 studies showed better outcomes following SSRIs than placebos. Typically OCD symptoms reduce for around 70% of people taking SSRIs.
E - This means that drugs can be of help to most people with OCD.
Name another strength AO3 of drug therapy for treating OCD ?
P - Another strength is that drugs are cost-effective and non-disruptive.
E - Drug therapies are cheaper than psychological treatments like CBT and they are also less disruptive to people’s lives as therapy sessions consume people’s lives otherwise. This means that using drug therapy is good value for the NHS.
E - This means that many doctors and people with OCD prefer drug treatments.
Name one limitation AO3 of using drug therapy to treat OCD ?
P - One limitation is that drugs can have serious side-effects.
E - A minority of people taking SSRIs get no benefit at all. Some people also experience side-effects such as indigestion, blurred vision and loss of sex drive.
E - This means that people’s quality of life is poor and the outcome is they may stop taking drugs altogether, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Name another limitation of using drug therapy to treat OCD ?
P - One limitation is the theory of biased evidence.
E - Some psychologists believe that the evidence for effectiveness is biased because of drug company sponsorship.
E - Even though there is evidence for the effectiveness for them there is still a doubt of bias around them.
