OCD
- Created by: emmadavidson
- Created on: 05-11-19 11:01
View mindmap
- OCD
- Genetic Explanations
- Focused on identifying specific candidate genes which are implicated in OCD.
- Polygenic condition= several genes are involved.
- Taylor 2003 suggests there are 230 genes involved and perhaps different genetic variations contribute to different types of OCD for example, hoarding or obsessive cleanliness
- Polygenic condition= several genes are involved.
- Genes linked to OCD
- COMT= catechil-o-methyltransferase
- Regulates the neurotransmitter DOPAMINE.
- A variation of the COMT gene results in higher levels of Dopamine. this variation is common in people with OCD
- Regulates the neurotransmitter DOPAMINE.
- SERT= 5-HTT.
- Affects the transportation of SEROTONIN.
- Transportation issues lower levels of serotonin and this lack of is associated with OCD.
- Affects the transportation of SEROTONIN.
- COMT= catechil-o-methyltransferase
- Focused on identifying specific candidate genes which are implicated in OCD.
- Neural Explanations (neurotransmitters)
- SEROTONIN regulates mood and lower levels of serotonin are assossiated with mood disorders EG: depression.
- Piggott 1990= reserch examining antidepressants and SSRI. drugs that increase the serotonin in the synaptic gap are effective in treating patients with OCD
- Dopamine= higher levels are associated with OCD. Associated with the symptoms particularly the compulsive behaviours.
- Brain structure
- Several regions of the Frontal lobes of the brain have abnormal circuits in OCD patients.
- Basal ganglia
- Cluster of neurons at the base of the fore-brain which is involved in multiple processes EG: coordination. people who suffer injures in this area develop OCD symptoms.
- Orbiofrontal cortex
- region that converts sensory info into thoughts and actions. PET scans have found higher activity in the cortex.
- EG: when a patient is asked to hold a dirty object. the activity in the cortex increases which results in compulsions
- region that converts sensory info into thoughts and actions. PET scans have found higher activity in the cortex.
- Basal ganglia
- Several regions of the Frontal lobes of the brain have abnormal circuits in OCD patients.
- SEROTONIN regulates mood and lower levels of serotonin are assossiated with mood disorders EG: depression.
- Evaluation of Biological approach.
- Research support= Family studies.
- Lewis 1936 examined patients with OCD and found that 37% of patients with OCD had parents with the disorder and 21% who had siblings who suffered.
- does not rule out environmental factors due to families sharing same environment.
- Lewis 1936 examined patients with OCD and found that 37% of patients with OCD had parents with the disorder and 21% who had siblings who suffered.
- Research support= Twin studies. Evidence of a strong genetic link.
- Billett 1998= meta-analysis of 14 twin studies investigating inheritance rates. identical twins were at double risk compared to normal twins
- concordance rates in twin studies are never 100%is suggests that the diathesis-stress model may be a better explanation where a genetic vulnerability is inherited and triggered by a stressor in the enviroment.
- Billett 1998= meta-analysis of 14 twin studies investigating inheritance rates. identical twins were at double risk compared to normal twins
- Alternative explanations. Behaviourist two-process model suggests that learning could play a crucial role in the disorder. The initial learning of the feared stimulus could occur through classical conditioning along with it being reinforced by negative reinforcement
- EG: development of compulsions like washing hands.
- Behavioural treatments were successful in 60-90% of adults saying their symptoms improved.
- Research support= Family studies.
- Treating OCD
- Biological treatments aim to restore chemical imbalances in the brain since this is the main cause of this disorder.
- Drug therapies
- Anti-Anxiety Drugs
- Benzodiazepines are a range of anti-anxiety drugs that include trade names like valium and diazepam.
- Enhance the action of the neurotransmitter GABA.
- GABA tells neurons to slow down and stop firing.
- Have a quietening effect on the brain and consequently reduce anxiety which is a result of the obsessive thoughts
- Chloride ions make it harder for the receiving neuron to be stimulated by further neurotransmitters.
- Have a quietening effect on the brain and consequently reduce anxiety which is a result of the obsessive thoughts
- GABA tells neurons to slow down and stop firing.
- Enhance the action of the neurotransmitter GABA.
- Benzodiazepines are a range of anti-anxiety drugs that include trade names like valium and diazepam.
- Anti-Depressants
- Result of low levels of serotonin so selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors EG; Prozac are prescribed are the preferred treatment. Anti-depressants improve mood and reduce anxiety experienced by patients with OCD.
- When serotonin is released from the pre-synaptic cell into the synapse, it travels to the receptor sites on the post-synaptic neuron.
- Serotonin which is not absorbed into the post synaptic neuron is reabsorbed into the sending cell.
- SSRIs increase the level of serotonin available in the synapse preventing it from being reabsorbed into the sending cell.
- this increases the level of serotonin available in the synapes which in turn, improves the concentration of the brain chemical at the receptor sites on the post-synaptic neuron, intensifying the stimulation on the receiving nerve.
- SSRIs increase the level of serotonin available in the synapse preventing it from being reabsorbed into the sending cell.
- Serotonin which is not absorbed into the post synaptic neuron is reabsorbed into the sending cell.
- When serotonin is released from the pre-synaptic cell into the synapse, it travels to the receptor sites on the post-synaptic neuron.
- Result of low levels of serotonin so selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors EG; Prozac are prescribed are the preferred treatment. Anti-depressants improve mood and reduce anxiety experienced by patients with OCD.
- Anti-Anxiety Drugs
- Evaluation of Biological treatments.
- Research support showing their effectiveness. Soomro 2008
- Compared a drug trial with SSRI's and a placebo drug (a drug with no pharmaceutical value).
- found that they were significantly more effective across 17 trials. this supports biological treatments
- Criticised for only concluding short-term effectiveness. Long term still need to be investigated
- Compared a drug trial with SSRI's and a placebo drug (a drug with no pharmaceutical value).
- Cost effective.
- Beneficial for health care providers
- Non-disruptive in everyday life and does not require Motivation
- Better for patients who lack motivation
- Side effects.
- Can cause, indigestion, hallucinations, high blood pressure, erection problems.
- BZ's are highly addictive, can increase aggression, long-term memory problems.
- Only prescribed for 4 weeks. ASHTON 1997
- Patients can stop taking them because side effects get to much.
- Treat symptoms NOT the cause.
- Once patients stop taking the drugs, they are prone o relapse.
- Short term fix. CBT is better long-term.
- Once patients stop taking the drugs, they are prone o relapse.
- Research support showing their effectiveness. Soomro 2008
- Genetic Explanations
Comments
No comments have yet been made