ocd

• the genetic approach is used to treat and explain ocd
• genetics - there is a specific gene that can influence the development of ocd and this explains why some people are more likely to develop it
• billet et al - meta analysis of twin studies - mz were 68% and dz were 31%
• pauls et al - found that 10% of people with an immediate relative with ocd also had it - compared to 2% of general pop
• genetics con - no 100% so environmental impact is present
• insel - ssris which increase serotonin can reduce symptoms of ocd by 50 - 60%
• against biochemical - ssris do not help symptoms in all cases - the link with serotonin is correlational
• max et al - increased rates of ocd in those with brain damage to basal ganglia
• against neurological - aylward did not find a difference with damage to basal ganglia
• strengths of bio approach - scientific basis - twin studies - ethical approach
• cons of bio explanation - ignores environment, family and childhood experiences - ethical concerns with treatment options
• drug therapy - treatment for ocd
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors - ssris
• ssris increase the levels of serotonin by preventing the reuptake of serotonin so there is more avalible
• pros of drug therapy - throen et al - better than placebo
• cons of drug therapy - expensive - side effects - have to take for a long time for improvements
• ocd has two parts obsessions and compulsions
• obsessions - cognitive aspect - tend to cause anxiety
• compulsions - behavioural aspect - repetitive behaviour to prevent anxiety
• 3 main symptoms - obsessions - compulsions- anxiety
• neural explanation - orbito frontal cortex detects worrying stimulus - selects action to deal with it - signals to motor cortext - basal ganglia moniters outcome - with ocd impared communication between basal ganglia and ofc - signal sent to stop worry are weaker - basal ganglia is less inhibited and becomes hyperactive
• signals from basal ganglia goes to ofc which releases serotonin which stops the worry signals
• con neural - results from brain imaging are inconsistent
• con neural - alywood et al no difference in basal ganglia in those with ocd and control group