PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - biological approach to explaining OCD

genetic explanations

refers to the fact that OCD can be inherited through genetic means and genetically transmitted from the parent to the offspring.

neural explanations

refers to the view that it is a factor in the brain that causes OCD such as abnormal levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

what researcher talked about genetic factors

Lewis

what did lewis find in her research

found that 37% of their OCD patients’ parents also had OCD

and 21% of them had siblings with OCD

this shows how a gene is passed increasing vulnerability to OCD

what are candidate genes

these are genes that create vulnerability for OCD by influencing the level of serotonin across the synapses

polygenic genes

This means OCD isnt caused by a singular gene but in groups of up to 230 genes that collectively influence the risk of developing OCD. found by Taylor

the role of seritonin

serotonin is believed to regulate ypur mood and is involved in the modulation of anxiety, which may contribute to the development of OCD.

researchers found that all OCD patients had reduced levels of serotonin

frontal lobe

thought to be the area that controls your thoughts and beliefs

low serotonin levels are said to reduce the efficiency at which the frontal lobe functions and therefore the individual will begin developing irrational beliefs and OCD will develop

strength fro the genetic explanation

high levels of evideince / strong evidience base

nestadts twin studies - found that 68% of monozygotic twins shared OCD compared to 31% of dizygotic twins, highlighting the genetic influence in the disorder.

limitations of the genetic explanation

there is also an environmental risk factor

for example a pair of twins may both have the triggering gene for ocd however if raised in different environments one may trigger ocd and the other may not.

Cromer found that OCD was easily triggered due to traumatic events further reinforcing the fact that the environment has triggered their OCD

strength of the neural explanation

strong evidence base

providing antidepressants that work purely on serotonin has reduced OCD symptoms reinforcing the idea that low serotonin levels cause OCD as this drug boosts serotonin levels.

limitations for the neural explanation

not all people with low serotonin levels develop OCD showing how there is more to just low serotonin levels that cause OCD

as there may be environmental factors to take into consideration