Bio Aproach and treatments for OCD

• What is the biological approach to explaining OCD focused on?

  Genetic and neural factors

  
• What are the learning objectives for studying OCD?

  • Outline biological explanations and treatments of OCD
  • Evaluate biological explanations and treatments for OCD
• What percentage of OCD patients had parents with OCD according to Lewis (1936)?


  37%
• What is the role of environmental stress in genetic explanations of OCD?

  It triggers the condition in vulnerable individuals
• What model explains the interaction of genes and environmental factors in OCD?

  Diathesis-Stress Model
• What do candidate genes indicate about OCD?

  Multiple genes are involved in its development
• How many different genes did Taylor (2013) suggest may be involved in OCD?

  230 different genes
• What neurotransmitters are associated with OCD?

  Dopamine and serotonin

  
• What is a limitation of the genetic explanation of OCD?

  It provides little predictive value
• What is the role of serotonin in OCD?

  Regulates mood and mental processes

  
• What happens when serotonin levels are low in OCD patients?

  Mood-relevant information transmission is affected

  
• What are the main aspects of drug therapy for OCD?

  • Increases or decreases neurotransmitter levels
  • SSRIs prevent reabsorption of serotonin
  • Used alongside CBT for better outcomes

  
• What is the function of SSRIs in treating OCD?

  Increase serotonin levels in the brain

  
• What is the typical outcome for patients taking SSRIs for OCD?

  70% show reduced symptoms

  
• What is a potential drawback of drug treatments for OCD?

  Some patients experience side effects
• What is a common side effect of clomipramine?

  Tremors and weight gain
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of drug therapy for OCD?

  Strengths:

  • Cost-effective compared to therapy
  • Non-disruptive to daily life

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Some patients experience side effects
  • Not all patients benefit from SSRIs
• What is the role of combining SSRIs with other treatments?

  Enhances effectiveness when SSRIs alone fail
• Why might cognitive and behavioral therapies be preferred over SSRIs?

  They may be more effective in treatment

  
• What is the main focus of the ABC model in relation to depression?

  It outlines how depression starts
• What are automatic thoughts in the context of OCD?

  Spontaneous negative thoughts about self and world
• What does cognitive vulnerability refer to?

  Mental factors making one prone to depression
• What is a self-schema?

  Information about our own characteristics
• How do genetic factors and environmental stress interact in the development of OCD?

  Genetic factors create vulnerability, stress triggers it
• What is the significance of the serotonin system in OCD?

  It regulates mood and is affected in OCD

  
• What is the primary treatment method for OCD discussed in the material?

  Drug therapy
• What is the impact of SSRIs on emotional symptoms of OCD?

  They reduce anxiety and depression

  
• What happens if an SSRI is ineffective after 3 to 4 months?

  The dose can be increased or combined with others
• What is the relationship between drug therapy and CBT in treating OCD?

  Drugs help patients engage better with CBT
• What is the main conclusion from Soomro et al. (2009) regarding SSRIs?

  SSRIs show better outcomes than placebos
• What does the term "polygenic" mean in relation to OCD?

  OCD is influenced by multiple genes
• What is a significant challenge in identifying genes related to OCD?

  Several genes are involved, complicating identification
• What is the effect of low serotonin levels on OCD symptoms?

  They worsen mood and mental processes

  
• What is the primary neurotransmitter discussed in relation to OCD?

  Serotonin

  
• How do SSRIs function in the brain?

  They prevent reabsorption of serotonin
• What is the significance of combining SSRIs with CBT?

  It enhances treatment effectiveness for OCD

  
• What is the role of environmental factors in the diathesis-stress model?

  They can trigger OCD in genetically vulnerable individuals
• What is the main focus of the evaluation section in the study material?

  Strengths and weaknesses of treatments
• What is the impact of drug therapy on patients' lives?

  It is non-disruptive and easy to manage
• What is a potential downside of drug therapy for OCD?

  Some patients experience significant side effects