Biological Explanation OCD

• OCD

  • anxiety disorder characterised by persistent intrusive thoughts occurring as obsessions, compulsions or a mix
• obsessions are internal thoughts or images that are repeated and cause anxiety or distress. they aren't based in reality
• compulsions are external behaviours comprised of intense and uncontrollable urges to repeat a task
• obsessive thought -> anxiety -> compulsion -> temporary relief

  cycle
• OCD has a stronger biological component than other mental disorders
• genetic suggestions

  hereditary - 37% had parents w OCD, high concordance rate between MZ twins of 80%

  candidate genes - genes create vulnerability for OCD, likely genes involved in transporting serotonin

  polygenic - not caused by one single gene, 230 different genes related

  aetiologically heterogeneous - OCD doesn't have the same cause for all, origins are different
• neural suggestions

  function - OCD is caused by abnormal levels of serotonin

  serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows down brain impulses to make you calm

  low serotonin ->individual experiences results of excitory action potential, making you impulsive with no action control

  structure - ofc and basal ganglia
• biological approach strength

  genetic basis so there;s evidence

  billett meta analysis of 14 twin studies of ocd, mz twins more likely to develop ocd is their co twin had the disorder
• biological approach weakness

  issues regarding causation

  links regarding OFC and CN functioning have been discovered after diagnosis, cannot be concluded that they were present before diagnosis

  dysfunctional OFC and CN activity may be a side effect of OCD not a cause
• biological approach weakness

  reductionist

  presence of the SERT or COMT gene or lower serotonin levels - ocd is a product of nature

  too simplistic, ignores environmental stressors and free will
• characteristics of ocd

  behavioural - compulsions

  cognitive - obsessions

  emotional - anxiety