biological: explaining OCD

• diathesis stress model

  diathesis-stress model suggests certain genes leave some people more likely to suffer a mental disorder but is not certain-some environmental stress is necessary to trigger the condition.
• candidate genes

  Candidate genes create vulnerability for OCD ,some of these genes are involved in regulating the serotonin system.
• OCD is polygenic so has several genes that are involved such as those associated with the action of dopamine and serotonin,both neurotransmitters that are believed to regulate mood.

  -There are different types of OCD based on different groups of genes.
• role of serotonin

  serotonin regulates mood and is a neurotransmitter.Neurotransmitters are responsible for relaying information from one neuron to another.Low levels of serotonin means that the normal transmission of mood-relevant information does not take place,so mood is affected.Some cases of OCD may be explained by a reduction in the functioning of the serotonin system in the brain.
• decision making systems

  Some cases of OCD seem to be associated with impaired decision making due to abnormal functioning of the frontal lobes of the brain.The frontal lobes are responsible for logical thinking and making decisions.There is evidence that suggests that the left parahippocampal gyrus associated with processing unpleasant emotions,functions abnormally in OCD.
• SERT gene

  • results in lower levels of serotonin
  • malfunctioning to the orbitofrontal cortex
  • anxiety feels overwhelming
• COMT gene

  • results in higher levels of dopamine
  • cant suppress intrusive thoughts
  • habit formation, compulsions ingrained