Explaining OCD Flashcards
What approach explains OCD?
The biological approach
What was found by Lewis that starts the genetic explanation?
Lewis (1936) found that in his OCD patients, 37% had parents with OCD and 21% had siblings with OCD
What are candidate genes?
Candidate genes are certain genes which cause vulnerability for OCD
What are the certain genes that cause vulnerability for OCD called?
Candidate genes
OCD is not cause by a single gene. What does this make OCD?
Polygenic
OCD is polygenic, what does this mean?
This means OCD is not caused by a single gene but by a combination of genes
What did a study in 2013 find?
A study by Taylor in 2013 found evidence that up to 230 genes may be involved in OCD, including genes that regulate dopamine and serotonin levels
What is the origin of OCD?
Heterogeneous
What does is mean when OCD is referred to as heterogeneous?
It means OCD varies from person to person. One group of genes may cause OCD in one person but a different group of genes may cause the disorder in another person
What is the key to the neural explanation?
The role of serotonin
What are the reduction of functioning of the serotonin system?
The reduction in the functioning of the serotonin system in the brain has been implicated in OCD and causes a person to experience a low mood
What is OCD characterised by?
Poor decision making
What has the characteristic of OCD been associated with?
The poor decision making has been associated with the abnormal functioning of the lateral of the front lobes of the brain
What is a limitation of the biological explanation of OCD? (environmental factors)
There is a lack of consideration for environmental factors that may contribute to the development of OCD. A study by Cromer et al (2007) found that more than half of participants had experienced a traumatic experience in the past that led to the development of the OCD
What is a strength of the biological explanation of OCD? (support + genetic cause)
There is a lot of evidence to support the suggestion that OCD is due to genetic cause. For example, a study of twins (by Nestaat et al 2010) found that 68% of identical twins shared OCD as opposed to 31% of non - identical twins. Other research also implies that if you have a family member with OCD you would be 4 times more likely to develop than some without.
