Explaining OCD - Biological approach

• Biological approach - A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function
• Candidate genes - Genes which create vulnerability for OCD
• Candidate genes: COMT gene

  • Regulates the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine
  • All genes come from different forms and one form of the COMT gene has been found to be more common in OCD patients than people without the disorder
  • This variation produces lower activity of the COMT gene and high levels of dopamine (Tukel, 2013)
• Canditate genes: SERT gene

  Affects the transport of the serotonin, creating lower levels of this neurotransmitter

  • These lower levels are also implicated in OCD
• Canditate genes: SERT gene

  Ozaki (2003)

  • Found a mutation of this gene in two unrelated families where 6 of the 7 family members had OCD 
• Diathesis-Stress Model:

  • Each individual gene only creates a vulnerability (diathesis) for OCD as well as other conditions, such as depression.
  • Other factors (stressors) affect what condition develops or whether any mental illness develops.
  • Therefore, some people could possess the COMT or SERT gene variations but suffer no ill effects