Psycopathology Flashcards
What are the evaluation points for the biological approach to treating OCD?
+) effectiveness of drug therapy
C.P -> 30% patients do not repsond to SSRI’s
-) cost-effectiveness
C.P-> ST solution, CBT could be LT solution
-) reductionist perspective
C.P-> validity
How is effectiveness of drug therapy a strength of the biological approach to treating OCD?
Point: Drug therapies, like SSRIs, are effective in reducing OCD symptoms.
Evidence: Soomro et al. (2009) found SSRIs helped reduce symptoms in 70% of patients.
Explanation: This supports the biological approach, suggesting SSRIs balance serotonin levels, alleviating OCD symptoms. They are often prescribed as a first-line treatment.
Link: Therefore, SSRIs offer a practical, effective biological treatment for OCD, helping many patients manage their symptoms.
Counterpoint: However, about 30% of patients do not respond to SSRIs, indicating that drug therapy isn’t universally effective, and other treatments may be needed.
How is cost-effectiveness a strength of the Biological approach to treating OCD?
Point: Drug therapies are more cost-effective than psychological therapies like CBT.
Evidence: Medication is cheaper and quicker to administer, requiring fewer healthcare resources.
Explanation: This makes drug therapy an accessible option, especially for those with severe symptoms who may struggle with therapy.
Link: Thus, drugs can be a practical first-line intervention for OCD.
Counterpoint: However, drug therapies don’t address the root causes of OCD. While cost-effective, they lack long-term helpfulness, as symptoms may return once treatment ends, unlike therapies targeting underlying issues.
How is a reductionist perspective a limitation of the biological approach to treating OCD?
Point: The biological approach is reductionist, focusing only on brain chemistry and ignoring other factors.
Evidence: CBT is more effective for some, addressing cognitive distortions and environmental triggers.
Explanation: This suggests the biological approach oversimplifies OCD, which may limit its effectiveness for some individuals.
Link: Therefore, a combination of biological and psychological treatments may provide a more comprehensive solution.
Counterpoint: However, despite being reductionist, the biological approach has validity. Research shows neurotransmitter imbalances, like low serotonin levels, are linked to OCD, making the biological model a credible and evidence-based treatment.
What are the causes of OCD according to the biological approach ?
genetic factors
neutransmitter imbalances
brain structure abnormalities, caudate nucleus
low seretonin
How does seretonin play a role in OCD?
Low levels of sereton linked to OCD
seretonin helps regulate mood and anxiety
defieicency may contribute to intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours
What are SSRI’s and how do they work in treating OCD?
SSRI’s increase seretonin levels in the brain by blocking reuptake
allevites OCD symptoms by improving seretonin function
What is an SSRI example?
sertraline
What is an evidence for SSRI’s?
Soomro et al (2009) meta-analysis showed SSRI’s more effective than placebo.
60-70% of patients showed sig improvement
What are tricyclics and how do they work in treatment for OCD?
older class of anti-depressants that increase seretonin levels in brain
used when SSRI’s are ineffective but have more side-effect
What are the evaluation points for evaluating genetic explanations?
+) research support for genetic explanations
C.P-> concordance not 100
-)
How is research support for genetic explanations a strength of the biological approach to treating depression?
Point: Genetic explanations for OCD are supported by research evidence.
Evidence: Bolton found a concordance rate of 57% in MZ twins and 22% in DZ twins.
Explanation: MZ twins share 100% of their DNA, while DZ twins share only 50%. The higher concordance in MZ twins suggests a genetic component to OCD.
Link: This indicates a probable genetic basis for OCD.
Counterpoint: However, if OCD were purely genetic, concordance in MZ twins would be 100%, so genetics are not the sole explanation.
How are family studies a strength of genetic explanations of the biological approach to treating OCD?
Point: Family studies provide evidence for a genetic element in OCD.
Evidence: Lewis (1936) found that 37% of OCD patients had parents with OCD, and 21% had siblings with the disorder.
Explanation: This suggests that genetics may play a role in the development of OCD, as it appears to run in families.
Link: Therefore, genetic explanations may account for OCD in some individuals.
Counterpoint: However, the percentages are relatively low, indicating that genetics alone cannot explain OCD, and other factors must contribute.
How is a lack of sucsess in drug therapy a limitation of neural explanations?
Point: The lack of success in drug therapy highlights limitations in the biological approach to explaining OCD.
Evidence: SSRIs, which target serotonin levels, are ineffective for about 40% of OCD patients.
Explanation: This suggests that while serotonin imbalances may contribute to OCD in some individuals, they do not account for all cases. The 40% who do not respond may have alternative causes, such as environmental or cognitive factors.
Link: This limitation shows that the biological approach cannot fully explain OCD in all individuals.
How is research support for dopamine’s role a strength of the neural explanations for OCD?
Point: Research supports the role of dopamine in OCD.
Evidence: Szechtmann found that animals exhibited stereotypical movements and behaviors when dopamine levels were artificially increased in a controlled lab setting.
Explanation: This suggests dopamine is linked to OCD, as the controlled conditions make the findings valid and reliable.
Counterpoint: However, animal studies are difficult to generalize to humans due to differences in brain complexity, as human brains are far more intricate than animal brains.
Link: While dopamine may play a role in OCD, it cannot fully explain the disorder in all individuals.
What are the evaluiation points for the biological approach to explaining OCD?
Genetic
+) family studies c.p-> low %
+) research ev C.P -> concordance is not 100
Neural
-) lack of sucsess in drug therapy
+) research support
What is the role of genetics in the biological explanation of OCD?
Genetics suggest that OCD is inherited. It is believed to be polygenic, meaning multiple genes contribute to its development.
How do twin studies support the genetic explanation of OCD?
Twin studies show higher concordance rates for OCD in monozygotic (MZ) twins, who share 100% of their DNA, compared to dizygotic (DZ) twins, who share 50%.
How is serotonin involved in the neural explanation of OCD?
OCD is linked to low levels of serotonin, which impairs communication between neurons, affecting mood and repetitive behaviors.
What is the COMT gene, and how is it linked to OCD?
The COMT gene regulates dopamine levels. A variation of this gene leads to higher dopamine levels, which are linked to compulsive behaviors seen in OCD.
What is the SERT gene, and how is it linked to OCD?
The SERT gene is involved in the transport of serotonin. A variation of this gene causes lower serotonin levels, which are associated with symptoms of OCD.
What role does dopamine play in OCD?
High levels of dopamine are associated with compulsive behaviors, as they can enhance repetitive actions.
What are the evaluation points for the cognitive treatments of depression?
+) research support
-) too much effort
+) meta-analysis
How is research support a strength of the coginitive treatments of depression?
Point: Research supports the effectiveness of CBT in treating depression.
Evidence: A 36-week study found that 81% of the antidepressant group and 81% of the CBT group showed significant improvement. The combination group (CBT + antidepressants) had an even higher improvement rate at 86%.
Explanation: This highlights that CBT is effective, supporting the usefulness of the cognitive approach in treatment.
Link: However, as the combination of CBT and antidepressants is most effective, this suggests that biological elements should also be considered alongside CBT.