OCD Flashcards
(11 cards)
behavioural characteristics of OCD
compulsions
avoidance
emotional characteristics of OCD
guilt/disgust
anxiety/distress
cognitive characteristics of OCD
obsessions
attentional bias
hypervigilance
what is the genetic explanation of OCD?
The genetic explanation suggests that OCD is inherited through genes passed down from parents. Research shows a higher concordance rate among first-degree relatives. Specific candidate genes, such as SERT (linked to serotonin regulation) and COMT (influences dopamine levels), may increase vulnerability to OCD. However, OCD is polygenic, meaning multiple genes contribute, and different combinations may lead to different OCD subtypes, making it complex and varied between individuals.
what is the neural explanation of OCD?
OCD is linked to low levels of serotonin, which affects mood regulation and can lead to anxiety. Brain areas like the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and basal ganglia are involved. Overactivity in the OFC causes intrusive thoughts, and a faulty caudate nucleus fails to suppress them, leading to obsessions and compulsions. Neuroimaging supports this, showing increased activity in these regions in OCD patients.
what is the treatment for OCD?
Drug therapies for OCD often involve SSRIs, which increase serotonin levels in the brain. Although they can be effective, they typically take 3–4 months to show results and don’t work for everyone. For non-responders, SNRIs may be used instead, targeting both serotonin and noradrenaline= drug treatments can help, but aren’t always reliable for all patients.
What is a strength of the biological explanation of OCD?
The genetic explanation has strong scientific credibility due to objective evidence from brain scans showing abnormal brain activity in OCD patients (increased activity in the orbitofrontal cortex). Additionally, family and twin studies consistently show higher rates of OCD among first-degree relatives, which supports a genetic link. These methods are highly reliable and replicable, increasing the validity of the genetic explanation as a credible cause of OCD.
What is a limitation of the biological explanation for OCD?
The biological explanation of OCD is reductionist as it focuses mainly on genetics and brain structure. This overlooks psychological and environmental triggers such as stress, trauma, or learned behaviours. As a result, it limits a holistic understanding of OCD and may not fully explain individual differences in how the disorder develops.
What is a strength of drug therapy for OCD?
Supporting evidence = Soomro- meta analysis comparing SSRI to placebo- 3097 patients. SSRI significantly reduced OCD symptoms compared to placebo= effective
COUNTER= CBT can be better- Soomro found side effects of drugs
limitation- correlation is not causation
Family and twin studies show a higher risk of OCD in close relatives, suggesting a genetic link. However, this is only a correlation, not causation. Families also share environments, like stress or parenting styles, which could explain the similarities. This makes it hard to separate genetic and environmental influences in OCD.
weakness- alternative explanation- Diathesis stress model
The diathesis-stress model offers a more realistic explanation of OCD by combining biological and environmental factors. Research by Nestadt (2010) found that first-degree relatives of OCD sufferers have a higher risk of developing the disorder, indicating a genetic vulnerability. However, not everyone with this genetic risk develops OCD, suggesting that external stressors, such as trauma or major life changes, play a key role in triggering symptoms = more holistic than purely biological explanations - accounts for the interaction between inherited traits and life experiences.
