P: Biological Approach To Treating OCD

Question 1

What does the biological approach assume of abnormality?

Answer 1

That it is caused to physiological factors
Genes- individuals may inherit a genetic vulnerability for OCD
Neural explanations- genes are likely to affect levels of neurotransmitters (brain biochemical) as well as structures of the brain

Question 2

Lewis (1936)

Answer 2

37% of patients with OCD had a parent with OCD and 21% a sibling

suggesting a genetic inherited vulnerability

Question 3

Diathesis stress model

Answer 3

Certain genes leave some people more likely to suffer a mental disorder
No certainty as some environmental stress is necessary to trigger the condition

Question 4

Candidates genes

Answer 4

Have been implicated in the development of OCD through research

Question 5

genetic explanation

COMT gene and OCD

Answer 5

COMT regulates production of dopamine
Dopamine effects motivation and drive
One variation of the COMT gene found commonly in OCD patients produces lower activity of the regulatory COMT gene therefore higher dopamine levels
Increased risk of OCD symptoms

Question 6

genetic explanation

SERT gene and OCD

Answer 6

-affects transport of serotonin (we’ll being and happiness)
-can cause lower serotonin levels
-associated with OCD

Question 7

neural explanations

Role of dopamine | Role of COMT gene. serotonin
SERT gebe

Answer 7

abnormally abnormally Leo
high dopamine. Serotonin