Biological approach suggests that everything that is psychological is at first biological
Genetic explanation of OCD-
-Research suggested that genes are involved in individual vulnerability to OCD
-OCD is polygenic condition, meaning there is are as many as 230 genes involved in OCD
-2 of these candidate genes are COMT gene and SERT gene
Candidate genes (COMT gene)-
-Usually, COMT gene released COMT, an enzyme which breaks down dopamine
-But OCD has been related with a mutation in this gene, which causes higher levels of dopamine
Candidate genes (SERT gene)-
-Gene is responsible for transportation of serotonin from synapse back to pre-synaptic cell
-A mutation in this gene increases rate of reuptake which reduces levels of serotonin in post synaptic cell, which is related with OCD
Diathesis stress model-
-Takes an interactionist view point
-it suggests that individuals have a genetic predisposition for mental disorders, which are triggered by an environmental factor e.g traumatic of stressful event
Neural explanation for OCD-
-Focuses on neurotransmitters and brain structures
-Suggest that there are abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters that are associated with OCD
-Also particular brain areas are associated with OCD
Neural chemistry -
-Low serotonin is associated with OCD (serotonin stablises mood)
-High dopamine is associated with OCD (dopamine influences mood and feelings of reward and emotion)
Caudate nucleus -
-Responsible for processing visual information, movement and memory
-Responsible for suppressing worry signals
-In OCD, this is underfunctioning and fails to suppress minor worry signals
Thalamus-
-Receives signals and directs to OFC to be interpreted
