Psychopathology 5- Biological Approach

The Biological Approach To Explaining OCD
1. AKA The Medical Model, basic suggestion is that all behaviours governed by physical elements of body
2. Genetics
  1. One suggestion is: OCD occurs when individual inherits faulty gene
  2. COMT gene may contribute to OCD- this gene regulates neurotransmitter Dopamine and one form of COMT gene found to be more common in OCD patients than those without the disorder- this produces higher levels of Dopamine
  3. Another implicated gene is the SERT gene: affects transportation of serotonin, creating lower levels of it.
    1. OZAKI ET AL (2003) reported a mutation of SERT gene present in two unrelated families, where 6 of 7 family members had OCD
  4. RESEARCH STUDY
    1. TANG ET AL (2014) researched OCD in dogs. Dogs suffer from naturally OCD that closely model human OCD, but limited diversity in dog breeds makes identifying genetic influences easier.
    2. Gene analysis showed OCD-affected dogs had higher levels of particular gene variants than dogs without OCD, suggests a genetic link to OCD
3. Neural Explanations
  1. PET scans shown reduced levels of Serotonin activity in brains of OCD patients. Role of Serotonin in OCD is further supported by fact that when patients take drugs to increase Serotonin production, symptoms of OCD decrease
  2. PET scans also demonstrated higher levels of activity in brain area called Orbital Frontal Cortex- area associated with converting sensory input into thoughts. Thought to help initiate activity when receiving impulses to act and stop the activity when impulse lessens.
    1. E.g. Someone without OCD may have an impulse to wash dirt from hands, then impulse subsides and behaviour stops. Could be that OCD sufferer is unable to ignore or stop impulses so they turn into obsessions which result is compulsions
4. EVALUATION
  1. Biological Approach Favoured By Those Who Regard Psychology As A Science
  2. Supporting Research- HU (2006) compared Serotonin activity in 169 OCD sufferers and 253 controls and found Serotonin levels to blower in OCD sufferers. This supports link between OCD and Serotonin loveless suggested in explanation
  3. Not Full Story- Diathesis-Stress model suggests biological factors may be linked but also environmental factors need to be considered. Suggests biological approach is too simplisitc
The Biological Approach To Treating OCD
1. Most common biological therapy is drugs- easily accessible and effective in treating obsessions and compulsions
2. Antidepressants
  1. SSRIs work on Serotonin levels, consequently can be used to treat OCD. Work by increasing level of Serotonin and reduce anxiety associated with OCD.
    1. Serotonin released into synapse from neuron to target receptor cells on receiving receptor sites. Afterwards, it's reabsorbed by initial neuron sending message. In order to raise Serotonin levels, SSRIs inhibit reabsorption.
  2. Tricyclics block the transporter mechanism that reabsorbs Serotonin and Noradrenaline into pre-synaptic cell.
    1. Means that more neurotransmitters are left in synapse, prolonging their activity and easing transmission of the next impulse.
3. Anxiolytics
  1. Used to reduce anxiety levels
  2. Most common one is Benzodiazepines which slow down activity of CNS by enhancing activity of the neurotransmitter GABA which has a general quietening effect on many neutrons in the brain.
4. RESEARCH STUDY
  1. FOA ET AL (2005) compared effectiveness of monotherapy (single treatment) using clomipramine to other forms of therapy such as CBT. and combined CBT / clomipramine.
  2. Outcomes of these 3 therapies compared to outcomes of control group (who received a placebo (fake) pill). Found that after 12 weeks, all 3 kinds of treatment were superior to placebo drug in terms of effectiveness.
  3. No difference in outcome of CBT and drug/CBT combined, and both were superior to mootherapy treatment. Findings suggests that an SSRI alone is not most effective treatment for OCD.
5. EVALUATION
  1. Easy Option- Drug therapy requires little effort from patient. Also relatively cheap compared to psychological therapies.
  2. Side Effects- Nausea, Headaches and Insomnia are common with SSRIs. May not help patient at all.
  3. Only Provide Temporary Solution- Can't be viewed as long-term solution.

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Psychopathology 5- Biological Approach

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