PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - the biological approach to explaining OCD

Question 1

what are genetic explanations?

Answer 1

LEWIS (1936) = found that genes are heavily involved in vulnerability to OCD.
- observed parents and siblings of OCD patients = 37% had parents w/OCD
21% had siblings with OCD

• OCD runs in families although what is passed on to next gen is genetic vulnerability to developing OCD.

Question 2

what does the diathesis stress model suggest?

Answer 2

certain genes leave people more likely to suffer a mental disorder but some environmental stress is needed to trigger the disorder.

Question 3

what are candidate genes?

Answer 3

• genes which create vulnerability for OCD
• some involved in regulation serotonin
  eg 5HT1-D beta

Question 4

what does it mean when we say OCD is polygenic?

Answer 4

• more than one gene causes OCD
• Taylor (2013) - 230 different genes involved in OCD, associated with serotonin and dopamine.

Question 5

what does it mean when the genes are aetiologically heterogenous?

Answer 5

• origins of the OCD varies from one person to another
• different groups of genes causes OCD in different people.

Question 6

what are neural explanations?

Answer 6

when the genes associated with OCD may affect the levels of key neurotransmitters , as well as structures of the brain.

Question 7

what is the role of serotonin?

Answer 7

• low levels of serotonin = normal transmission of mood relevant information does not take place = low moods
• low functioning of serotonin system in brain = low mood

Question 8

how does decision making system cause OCD?

Answer 8

• abnormal functioning of frontal lobes ( responsible for logical thinking and making decisions)

Question 9

evaluate genetic explanations.

Answer 9

+ research support
eg Nedstadt found that 68% of identical twins shared OCD compared with 31% non- identical twins

= supports the idea there is genetic influence.

• environmental risk factors can also trigger the risk of developing OCD.
  eg cromer et al = over half of their OCD clients experienced a traumatic event.
  OCD was more severe in those with trauma = genetic vulnerability only offers a partial explanation for OCD.

Question 10

evaluate neural explanations?

Answer 10

+ research support for the role of serotonin
eg antidepressants effective in reducing ocd symptoms by targeting only the serotonin system = serotonin is involved in the development of ocd.

• serotonin - OCD link is not unique to OCD. many ppl with OCD also experienced clinical depression. This means serotonin may not be relevant to OCD symptoms.