biological approach to explaining OCD

• Biological approach


  Explains mental health conditions as being due to faulty physical processes. This explanation includes the physical structure of your DNA, inherited from your parents.
• What is OCD?


  OCD affects approximately 1 in 50 people, its symptoms include obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
• Obsessions and compulsions


  Obsessive thoughts are repetitive, distressing mental images or concerns that provoke anxiety e.g. infection, burglary, electrical fire.

  Compulsions are actions that individuals feel they need to perform to reduce the discomfort caused by these thoughts e.g. cleaning hands or surfaces.

  Unfortunately, their relief is only temporary, as obsessive thoughts quickly return.