Psychopathology - biological approach to explaining OCD

Question 1

How does the biological approach explain OCD?

Answer 1

the biological approach explains OCD with both neural and genetic explanations

Question 2

What do neural explanations suggest about OCD?

Answer 2

• neural explanations suggest that low levels of serotonin caused OCD
• more specifically a reduction in the mood functioning of the serotonin system in the brain causes OCD As serotonin helps regulate mood
• low levels of serotonin affects mood as normal transmission of mood relevant information does not take place

Question 3

Other than low levels of serotonin causing OCD, what is another neural explanation about OCD?

Answer 3

• another neural explanation suggests that OCD may be caused by abnormal functioning of the brain’s frontal lobes
• both decision making and logical thinking are the responsibility of the frontal lobes
• by not functioning correctly it may mean the sufferer is unable to switch off, and/ or ignore, impulses

Question 4

How are neural explanations supported and how does this support the theory?

Answer 4

• neural explanations are supported as antidepressant drugs, which raise levels of serotonin, have been found to reduce symptoms of OCD
• this is supporting evidence for the theory as it suggests that the serotonin system is involved in OCD

Question 5

Where else are symptoms of OCD suggested to be found?

Answer 5

• OCD symptoms are suggested to be found in conditions which are biologically caused e.g. Parkinson’s disease
• which might suggest that biological processes cause OCD

Question 6

What is a limitation to the serotonin-OCD link?

Answer 6

• the serotonin-OCD link may be due to co-morbidity with Depression rather than it causing OCD per se
• this relates to the fact people who suffer from OCD become depressed, therefore the serotonin system may be disrupted due to their Depression rather than their OCD

Question 7

What is a limitation to the biological explanation of OCD?

Answer 7

• the biological explanation of OCD does not prove that the neural mechanisms cause OCD
• although there is evidence that various neurotransmitters don’t function adequately in sufferers of OCD
• this could be the result of OCD rather than the cause

Question 8

What do genetic explanations suggest about OCD?

Answer 8

genetic explanations for OCD suggest that genes make certain people more vulnerable to OCD

Question 9

Give an example of one gene which has been implicated in creating vulnerability to OCD

Answer 9

• one particular gene that has been implicated in creating vulnerability to OCD is 5HT1-D beta
• which regulates the development of the serotonin system

Question 10

What is the gene 5HT1-D beta known as?

Answer 10

• 5HT1-D beta is known as a candidate gene
• due to it creating vulnerability to OCD

Question 11

Other than suggesting that genes make certain people more vulnerable to OCD, what is another genetic explanation?

Answer 11

• another genetic explanation suggests that OCD is polygenic
• meaning that not one but several genes are involved
• OCD may be caused in one person by one group of genes but by a different group of genes in another person