biological approach in psycopathology

Question 1

what is the genetic explanation of OCD?

Answer 1

the greater the genetic relativeness the greater the chances of developing OCD

caused by mutated genes being passed on

Nedstadt et al found first degree relatives of OCD suffers had 12% chance of developing OCD compared to 3% of general pop

Question 2

what gene can be impaired and effect the levels of serotonin?

Answer 2

SERT gene (5-HTT)

Question 3

Research + of genetic explanations of OCD

Answer 3

genes can cause development for OCD….
greater genetic relativeness the greater the chances of developing OCD Nedstadt reviewed twins concordance of 0.67 but 0.31 for non-identical

Question 4

Scientific + of genetic explanations of OCD

Answer 4

presents psychology as a scientific discipline as can be studied using DNA analysis and family history which is objective and reliable

Question 5

Research - of genetic explanations of OCD

Answer 5

not only factor in developing OCD such as environmental factors causing genes to express themselves(Nedstadt study doesn’t have a 100% concordance rate)

Question 6

Reductionist - of genetic explanations of OCD

Answer 6

biologically reductionist as ignores situational factors such as childhood trauma e.g strict parents

shows that the explanation is incomplete

Question 7

What is the neural explanation of OCD?

Answer 7

The caudate nucleus doesn’t suppress the signal from the orbital frontal cortex to the Thalamus this creates a worry circuit as signal is continued to be sent back and forward

(e.g washing hands)

Question 8

Research + of neural explanation of OCD

Answer 8

Ursu and Carter monitored brain activity in 15 OCD patients via FMRI which found hyperactivity in the OFC like the theory would suggest

Question 9

theoretical - of neural explanation of OCD

Answer 9

the explanation is based off of a correlation so cause and effect cannot be established
low levels of serotonin and abnormal caudate nucleus are linked to OCD but it does not explain how it is developed so other factors may be responsible

example….

Question 10

what do high levels of serotonin do?

Answer 10

prevent behaviour repeating

regulate mood by lowering anxiety and reducing depression

Question 11

Practical application + of neural explanation of OCD

Answer 11

help 2-3% of society with OCD
by giving them antidepressants to increase their levels of serotonin to remove symptoms of OCD
and is effective for 70% of patients

Question 12

What is drug therapy in terms of OCD treatment?

Answer 12

Increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the brain

such as serotonin

Question 13

What is the serotonin antidepressant?

Answer 13

SSRI

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 14

what is an example of an SSRI?

Answer 14

PROZAC

Question 15

how do SSRI’s work?

Answer 15

block reuptake pumps on pre-synaptic neuron so less serotonin is recycled and remains in the synaptic gap

this reduces OCD symptoms

Question 16

what happens after 2 weeks of drug therapy in terms of OCD treatment?

Answer 16

neural adaption

Question 17

what type of drugs treat anxiety

Answer 17

antianxiety drugs e.g Valium which slow down brain communications = calming effect

Question 18

scientific Evidence + for drug therapy as a treatment for OCD

Answer 18

70% of patient’s OCD symptoms decline

SOOMRO found that pt’s in 17 studies of drug therapy showed improvement with SSRI’s compared to the placebo

Question 19

Long-term - for drug therapy as a treatment for OCD

Answer 19

Symptoms of OCD may decline but do not stop entirely

when patient stops taking the drug symptoms return and therefor patient can be come dependent

Question 20

scientific + for drug therapy as a treatment for OCD

Answer 20

drugs mode of action is objective and measurable for instance PET scans can monitor antidepressants on serotonin through cerebral fluid