*OCD And The Biological Approach To Explaining OCD Flashcards
What characterizes OCD?
Obsessions (recurring thoughts, images, etc.) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviours)
Obsessions can lead to significant distress and compulsions are performed to reduce anxiety.
What is Trichotillomania?
Compulsive hair pulling
It is categorized under OCD-related disorders.
Define Hoarding Disorder.
Compulsive gathering of possessions and inability to part with anything regardless of its value
This disorder significantly impacts living conditions.
What is Excoriation Disorder?
Compulsive skin picking
This is another disorder within the OCD spectrum.
What are two elements of compulsive behaviour in OCD?
- Compulsions are repetitive
- Compulsions reduce anxiety
Examples include hand washing, counting, and tidying.
What is avoidance in the context of OCD?
Keeping away from situations that trigger compulsive behaviours
For instance, sufferers may avoid contact with germs.
List emotional characteristics of OCD.
- Anxiety and distress
- Accompanying depression
- Guilt and disgust
These emotions are often linked to obsessive thoughts.
What percentage of people with OCD experience obsessive thoughts?
90%
These thoughts are typically unwanted and intrusive.
What cognitive strategies do people with OCD use to deal with obsessions?
Praying repetitively or repeating phrases (internally or externally)
These strategies aim to mitigate anxiety caused by obsessions.
What is the biological explanation for OCD?
Genetic and neural explanations that account for physical and psychological characteristics
This approach examines how genes and brain function contribute to OCD.
What does the diathesis-stress model indicate?
Certain people are more likely to develop mental disorders due to genetic vulnerabilities, but environmental stress is necessary to trigger them
This model helps explain the onset of OCD.
What role do candidate genes play in OCD?
Certain genes create a vulnerability to OCD by regulating serotonin levels
Examples include 5HT1-D beta, which transports serotonin across synapses.
What does it mean that OCD is polygenetic?
More than one gene is involved, created by a combination of genetic variations
This contributes to increased vulnerability to OCD.
What is aetiological heterogeneity in OCD?
Origins of OCD vary from one person to another
Different types of OCD may arise from different genetic variations.
How do neurotransmitters affect OCD?
Genes associated with OCD affect the levels of neurotransmitters and brain structure
Low serotonin levels can lead to mood disorders and are implicated in some OCD cases.
What brain structures are linked to impaired decision making in OCD?
Lateral frontal lobes and left hippocampal gyrus
These areas are responsible for logical thinking and processing unpleasant emotions.
List limitations of the biological approach to OCD.
- Environmental factors
- Previous trauma
- Complexity of human brains
- Correlation vs causation
These factors suggest that biological explanations alone may not fully account for OCD.
What are strengths of the biological approach to understanding OCD?
- Research links OCD vulnerability to genetics
- Studies show higher concordance rates in MZ twins
- Antidepressants can reduce OCD symptoms
These strengths highlight the biological basis of OCD.
