OCD - The Biological Approach

• What does the Biological Approach suggest?

  Mental health conditions are due to faulty physical processes including physical structure of DNA, inherited from parents.
• What is OCD?

  Obsessive thoughts + compulsive behaviours. Obsessive thoughts = repetitive, distressing mental images/concerns that provoke anxiety. Compulsions = actions we feel we need to do to reduce discomfort from thoughts.
• What are common obsessions? (3)

  Contamination/infections, burglary/theft, electrical fire
• What are common compulsions? (3)

  Cleaning hands/surfaces, check doors are locked, checking power switches are off
• What is the genetic explanation of OCD?

  No 1 OCD gene, thought a vulnerability to OCD is inherited from parents.
• What did genetic analysis find regarding candidate genes?

  Revealed around 230 candidate genes found more frequently in people w/ OCD. Many CGs influence function of neural systems in brain e.g gene 9, COMT gene, 5HT1-D beta gene.

  Suggests = OCD is polygenic = predisposition to OCD requires range of genetic changes