Biological approach to explaining OCD
- Created by: jessicawarren
- Created on: 05-05-16 12:13
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- The Biological Approach to explaining OCD
- Genetic
- Look at idea that OCD is inherited and passed down through families
- Lewis- OCD patients have parent/siblings with OCD
- COMT gene more more commonly found in patients with OCD, gene may be passed down
- Genetic predisposition rather than cause
- Diathesis- stress model, genetic predisposition, but needs to interact with environment
- Neural
- Chemical imbalances root of problem
- Abnormally high levels of dopamine and seratonin
- Abnormal brain circuit- worry loop
- Worry Circuit
- One region of brain thought to be responsible for OCD. (hypothalamus)
- Normally, minor worry signals ignored
- OCD: Brains ability to filter out worry messages damaged- worry messages sent back and forth
- Minor things constantly obsessed over. Brain scans show overactivity in these areas in people with OCD
- Drugs
- Therapy that works to repair chemical imbalance in brain
- Corrected by drugs which increase/decrease levels of neurotransmittters in brain
- SSRI's increase availability of seratonin in synapse. Low levels involved in worry circuit
- Tricyclics increase levels of seratonin and noradrenaline
- Anti anxiety drugs increase effect of GABA- works to quieten/inhibit neurotransmitters. Increasing its effect reduces neurotransmitter activity and makes person feel more relaxed
- Evaluation
- Effectiveness of anti depressant drugs: supports idea of OCD having biological cause. Increase seratonin, reduces symptoms
- Cause and effect: Do abnormal levels of neurotransmitters cause OCD/ other way round?
- Genetic
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