OCD Flashcards
What are the behavioural characteristics?
1) Compulsions - external behaviours that are repeated to reduce anxiety e.g. washing hands, counting and checking
2) Avoidance - of situations that may trigger compulsions e.g. avoiding shaking hands to avoid germs
What are the cognitive characteristics?
1) Obsessions - internal, intrusive thoughts that are recurring and cause anxiety e.g worries of being contaminated by germs
2) Hypervigilance - Maintaining constant alertness and keeping attention on potential hazards e.g. germs
3) Awareness that compulsions and obsessions are irrational, excessive and unreasonable
What are the emotional characteristics?
1) Anxiety and distress caused by the obsessions which are unpleasant and frightening. Anxiety caused by the urge to perform compulsions.
2) Negative emotions such as irrational guilt and disgust
What are the two explanations of OCD?
1) The genetic explanation
2) The neural explanation
AO1: The genetic explanation
The genetic explanation suggests that OCD is due to physical factors in the body. OCD runs in families ad is inherited suggesting a genetic predisposition. The genetic explanation argues that OCD is due to the inheritance of one or more maladaptive genes e.g. SERT. OCD is polygenic meaning its not due to a single gene but a combination of genes. These genes are called caudate genes which make an individual more vulnerable to developing OCD these are the ‘COMT’ and ‘SERT’ genes. The SERT genes is involved in the transportation of serotonin. If there’s a mutation in the SERT genes it causes a decreases in serotonin activity levels increasing anxiety in OCD. The COMT gene is involved with dopamine regulation in the brain. There is one from of the COMT gene which is more common in people with OCD than without which increases dopamine activity levels, increasing compulsion in OCD
AO1: The neural explanations
The neurochemical explanation suggests that OCD is due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically low levels of serotonin activity. Serotonin is involved in maintaining a stable mood. A mutation in the SERT gene causes serotonin to be recycled too quickly to the pre synaptic neurone before it can activate the post synaptic neurone. The low levels of serotonin activity increases anxiety which is linked to obsessions in OCD.
The neuroanatomy structure refers to the size, shape and function of certain areas of the brain and how they are linked to OCD. OCD is associated with faulty decision making in the brain. OCD is associated with abnormal functioning the the frontal lobe of the brain which is responsible for logical thinking and decision making linked to obsessions as an individual is unaware their thought processes are faulty. There is evidence to suggest the parahippocampul gyrus is associated with processing negative emotions such as anxiety which functions abnormally in someone with OCD.
What are the evaluations for biological approach for OCD? (4)
1) RTS Gerald et al - twins
2) Practical applications
3) Biological reductionism
4) Scientific methods
AO3: Explaining - reductionism
The biological approach to explaining OCD can be criticised for having biological reductionism. It reduces complex human behaviour os simple basic units of gene (SERT and COMT) or an imbalance of neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine) or neuroanatomy (faulty parahippocampul gyrus). This neglects a holistic approach which would take into account how a persons social and cultural context could influence OCD e.g there is a higher prevalence for OCD in religious groups where regular cleaning before prayer is required. Therefore the biological approach may lack validity as it doesn’t allow us to understand behaviour in context.
AO3: Explaining - Practical applications
A strength of the biological approach to explaining behaviour is that it has practical applications. The principles of the theory that OCD is due to a mutation in the SERT gene and low levels of serotonin activity levels has led to the development of drug treatments. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors increase level of serration activity in the brain which has been found to reduce anxiety relieving OCD symptoms. Therefore it is an important part os applied psychology as it increases the credibility of the biological approach as an explanation for OCD.
AO3: Explaining - Scientific methods
A strength of the biological approach to explaining OCD is that it has scientific enquiry because it uses scientific methods. It uses objective and empirical techniques such as gene mapping to identify SERT and COMT genes and brain scans to identify areas of the brain that are linked to OCD such as the parahippocampul gyrus and the frontal lobe. This increases the internal validity of the biological approach to explaining OCD, raising Psychology’s scientific status.
AO3: Explaining - RTS
Research to support the biological approach to explain OCD comes from Gerald et al. They studied the link between twins and genetic vulnerability to OCD. They found that 68% of monozygotic twins shared OCD whereas 31% of dizygotic twins shared OCD. This shows that there is a genetic predisposition for OCD, supporting the biological approach to explaining OCD.
AO1: Biological treatment for OCD
The biological treatment for OCD is drug therapy. Drug therapy works by balancing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain to relieve symptoms of OCD. A drug used is an anti-depressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. SSRI’s are serotonin agonists. They increase levels of serotonin activity levels by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the presynaptic neurone, increasing the serotonin levels in the synapse so it continues to activate the post synaptic neurone. These drugs have been shown to reduce anxiety associated with OCD. They usually take 3-4 months to work as the dosage can vary person to person. In recent years another class of antidepressants called SNRI’s have been used which increases the activity levels of serotonin and noradrenaline and can be used if the SSRI’s have been ineffective.
What are the evaluations for treatment? (4)
1) RTS Soomro et al - placebo
2) Counter argument: Alternative treatments
3) Little motivation + think further
4) Negative side effects
AO3: Treatment - Soomro et al
Research to support the effectiveness of drug therapy as a biological treatment for OCD comes from Soomro et al. He reviewed 17 studies using SSRIs as a treatment for OCD and found that SSRIs were more effective in treating OCD than placebos. Symptoms reduced in 70% of people and for the remaining 30% symptoms reduced with an alternative drug or a combination of psychological therapies and drug. Therefore showing the effectiveness of drug therapy as a treatment for OCD.
AO3: Treatment - Counter argument
There is some evidence to suggest that even if drug therapy is helpful for people with OCD they may not be the most effective treatments available. Skapinaki et al did a systematic review on outcome studies and found that cognitive and behavioural therapies were more effective than SSRIs in the reattempt of OCD. Therefore drug therapy may not be the optimum treatment for OCD.
AO3: Treatment - Motivation
A reason drug therapy may be effective as a treatment for OCD is that it requires little motivation from patients. Patients only need to take a tablet to reduce symptoms. Whereas in CBT patients must have the motivation to attend sessions and identify and challenge irrational thoughts (obsessions). Therefore patients may prefer drug therapy as a treatment for OCD.
Think further: Additionally, the biological treatment for OCD is cost effective which benefits the NHS and many doctors and patients may prefer it for these reasons. This benefits the economy as the money saved on treating OCD can be used elsewhere benefiting society.
AO3: Treatment - Negative side effects
Drug therapy may nit be the most appropriate treatment for OCD due to negative side effects. SSRIs can cause nausea, headaches and insomnia. This is an issue as patients may become distressed from side effects and stop medication reducing the effectiveness of drug therapy as a treatment for OCD.
