biological approach to explaining OCD - neural

what neurotransmitters are related to OCD?

• serotonin

• dopamine

how is serotonin linked to OCD?

• serotonin regulates mood/happiness

• if levels are low then normal transmission of mood-relevant info doesn’t occur

how is dopamine linked to OCD?

• dopamine regulates pleasure

• linked to pleasure centres and reward system

• compulsive behaviours may be a result of an imbalance in the dopaminergic reward system

what is impaired decision making in relation to OCD?

a difficulty in choosing between options due to an overwhelming fear of making a mistake and the need for certainty, often leading to chronic indecisiveness, excessive checking, and a struggle to function

what part of the brain is associated with impaired decision making?

the lateral frontal lobes

• responsible for logical thinking and decision making

what part of the brain is associated with processing unpleasant emotions?

the left parahippocampal gyrus

the lateral frontal lobes and left parahippocampal gyrus function … in those with OCD

abnormally

what is the strength of the neural explanation?

• supporting evidence

• some antidepressants, e.g. SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) work purely on serotonin system, increasing levels of neurotransmitter

• effective in reducing OCD symptoms, suggesting serotonin system is involved in OCD

• increases credibility of explanation

what are the weaknesses of the neural explanation?

• correlation doesn’t mean causation

• serotonin is linked to depression not OCD

correlation doesn’t mean causation

• no proof of cause and effect

• evidence to suggest various neurotransmitters don’t function normally in sufferers of OCD

• however the biological abnormalities could be a result of OCD rather than it’s cause

• this decreases validity of explanation