OCD

Question 1

what is OCD

Answer 1

according to NHS, OCD can be described as a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity

Question 2

what is an obsession

Answer 2

• unwanted and unpleasant thought or urge that repeatedly enters ones mind, causing anxiety or unease

Question 3

what is a compulsion

Answer 3

repetitive behaviour or mental act that someone feels they need to carry out to temporarily relieve unpleasant feelings brought on by obsessive thoughts

Question 4

what are the emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 4

• anxiety/distress
• depression
• guilt/disgust

Question 5

what are the behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 5

• compulsions -repetitive
• compulsions- anxiety reduction
• avoidance

Question 6

what are the cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 6

• cognitive coping strategy
• obsessive thoughts
• awareness of excessive anxiety

Question 7

describe the genetic explanation of OCD

Answer 7

• suggests that OCD is inherited
• individuals receive specific genes from parents which influence the onset of OCD

Question 8

describe the neural explanation of OCD

Answer 8

• suggests that abnormal levels of transmitters (eg serotonin and dopamine) and certain regions of brain are implicated in OCD

Question 9

what kind of condition is OCD

Answer 9

• polygenic = several genes are involved

Question 10

what does Taylor suggest in regards to the genetic explanation of OCD

Answer 10

• as many as 230 genes may be involved in the condition
• different genetic variations contribute to different types of OCD

Question 11

what are the two genes that have been linked to OCD

Answer 11

• COMT
• SERT

Question 12

describe the COMT gene

Answer 12

• associated with the production of catechol-o-methyltransferase
• this enzyme regulates the production of/breaking down of neurotransmitter dopamine (effects motivation and drive)
• in OCD there is low activity of COMT gene
• this slows the enzyme which would lead to higher levels of dopamine (as they have not been broken down) and increases motivation and drive

Question 13

describe the SERT gene

Answer 13

• linked to serotonin and effects the transport of this neurotransmitter
• transportation issues surrounding speed lowers levels of serotonin to be active within brain
• Ozaki et al. found results from a study of two unrelated family who both had mutations of the SERT gene
• 6/7 family members had OCD

Question 14

describe the neural explanation for OCD regarding Neurotransmitters

Answer 14

• low serotonin levels cause obsessive thoughts–> low levels of serotonin is due to it being removed too quickly from synapse before it transmitted its signal
• presynaptic neurons release NTs and receptors on the postsynaptic neuron detect these
• the if signal is strong enough, message will pass on and NTs will detach from receptors and are taken back to presynaptic neuron (reuptake)
• in OCD, this process happens too quick, leading to reduced levels of serotonin in synapse

Question 15

what are some A03 points about the biological explanation of OCD

Answer 15

-opposing evidence
-evidence to support
-may be other explanations

Question 16

describe opposing evidence as an A03 for the biological explanation for OCD

Answer 16

• Cromer –> 54% of OCD patients suffered had at least 1 traumatic life event
• biological approach is reductionist –> simplifies explanation
• interactionist approach like Diathesis-stress model may be more appropriate –> individuals gain vulnerability towards OCD, and is triggered by an environmental stressor

Question 17

describe supporting evidence as an A03 of the biological explanation of OCD

Answer 17

• Lewis found that 37% of patients with OCD had parents with the disorder and 21% had siblings who suffered
• Nestdadt et al. tskes this further and states that individuals with a first-degree relative with OCD are 5x more likely to develop disorder
  -this adds validity as it suggests a genetic component may be involved

Question 18

describe and A03 point of the explanation of OCD regarding other explanations

Answer 18

• two process model by behaviourists suggests learning plays crucial role
• initial learning of feared stimulus occurs through classical condition eg: dirt is paired with anxiety
• behaviour pattern is maintained through operant conditioning
• results in obsession which links to development of compulsion
• this questions validity of the biological explanation of OCD