The Biolgical Approach To Explaining OCD Flashcards
What are the 2 types of explanation for ocd
Generic
Neural
What are the three genetic explanations
Candidate genes
OCD is polygenic
Different types of OCD
What is the genetic explanation to ocd
Genes are involved in predisposition to OCD. Lewis observed that 37% of his patients had parents with OCD 21% had siblings with OCD suggesting it runs families. This is genetic vulnerability.
Diathesis stress model - more likely to disorder but not certain
What are candidate genes
Specific genes that create vulnerability for OCD
some genes are involved in regulating development of serotonin
What is meant by ocd being polygenic
OCD is not caused by one single gene but a combination of genetic variations that together increase vulnerability
What is meant by different types of ocd
One group of jeans may cause OCD and one person but a different group of jeans may cause OCD and another person therefore it varies from person to person
What is a strength to genetic explanations for ocd
Research support
twin studies found 68% of identical twins shared OCD as opposed to 31% of non-identical twins.
Another study shows OCD is four times slightly to develop in someone with a family member
showing genetic influence on development of OCD.
What is a limitation to genetic explanations for ocd
Environmental risk factors
genetic variation can make a person more or less vulnerable to OCD
however OCD does not appear to be entirely genetic and origin as there are other factors that can increase development of OCD e.g. traumatic events
What are the neural explanations for ocd
Role of serotonin
Decision making systems
What is meant by neural explanations
Genes associated with OTD likely to affect the levels of neurotransmitters and the brain
Describe the role of serotonin
Serotonin is lead to help regulate mood and are responsible for relaying information from one to the other.
If a person has low levels of serotonin the normal transmission of mood relevant information does not take place
cases of OCD may be explained by reduction in serotonin.
Describe the role of decision making systems
In particular holding disorder seems to be associated with impairment of decision-making.
abnormal functioning of the frontal lobes which are responsible for logical thinking and decisions
the left parahippocampus gyrus is associated with processing unpleasant emotions functions abnormal in ocd
What is the strength to neural explanations of ocd
Neuro model OCD has supporting evidence
Antidepressants that work purely on serotonin are effective in reducing OCD suggesting serotonin is involved in OCD
What is a limitation to neural explanations of ocd
The neural model is that serotonin OCD link may not be unique to OCD
many people with OCD also experienced depression.
Having two disorders together is called comorbidity and
the depression probably involves the disruption to the action of serotonin.
Therefore serotonin may not be relevant to OCD symptoms.
