OCD

Genetic explanation AO3 points

1- Good supporting evidence

2- Not just genes leading to development of OCD

Strength- Good supporting evidence

P-Evidence to suggest vulnerability to OCD is inherited genetically

Ex-Twins studies are best sources

Ev-McGuffin, 68% MZ shared OCD, 31% DZ shared OCD, highlights genes influence

E-Bellet, meta-analysis on 14, MZ twice more likely to develop OCD than DZ

L-Increases scientific credibility, biological vulnerability is large factor

Limitation- Not just genes leading to development

P-Not only genes leading to development

Ex-Gene make-up makes more vulnerable, environmental trigger needed to development

Ev-Cromer did experiment, over half sample had trauma, symptoms more severe

E- No twin study has found 100% concordance in MZs, so not only biological factors

L-Suggests OCD arises from interaction between genetic vulnerability+ environment influences

Neural Explanation AO3 points

1- Some supporting evidence

2-Cauuse and effect

Strength- Some supporting evidence

P-Some evidence for role of neural mechanisms in OCD

Ex-Shown that some antidepressants work purely on serotonin system

Ev-Antidepressants increase serotonin+ relieve some symptoms, suggesting involvement

E-Simply be that serotonin is disrupted in many patients due to depression too

L-Makes us question whether serotonin dysfunction is direct cause of OCD, rather than secondary effect of comorbid depression

Limitation- Cause and Effect

P-Issue with cause and effect of neural explanation to OCD

Ex-Cannot assume neural factors are root cause of OCD, contributing factors

Ev-dysfunctional brain structures+ neurotransmitters in sufferers, not same as saying abnormal functioning causes OCD

E-Doesn’t consider cognitions and learning, classical+ operant, e.g. dirt, washing hands

L-Key levels of neurotransmitters+ brain are direct reason for development

Treating OCD AO3 points

1-Effective

2-Side effects

3-Unreliable evidence

Strength- Effective

P-Drug therapies proven useful in treating OCD

Ex-SSRIs reduce severity of symptoms, improves quality of life

Ev-Soomro, compared SSRI’s to placebo. found SSRIs prove more effective in reducing anxiety levels+ symptoms of condition

E-Not all CD arise from biological factors, if not past family disorder, then trauma

L-Nevertheless, research shows symptoms decline using SSRIs, for 70% patients, for 30% alternative methods used

Weakness- Side effects

P-Issue with SSRIs and SNRIs is negative side-effects

Ex- Include blurred vision, tremors and weight gain

Ev-NHS suggests that 1 in 100 suffer aggression, bad blood pressure+ heart rhythm, especially in tricyclics

E-Addiction, dangerous as lead to overdose

L-Factors reduce effectiveness because people will stop taking medication+ stay with it

Limitation- Unreliable evidence

P-Not enough evidence to support drug treatments

Ex-Small sample size+ follow up periods, funded, harder to prove improvements due to drug itself or placebo effects

Ev-Goldacre did experiment to suggest evidence favouring drug treatment is bias due to research being sponsored, don’t report all evidence

E-Further evidence to suggest data on effectiveness not trustworthy

L-Researchers and scientists publishing wrong info+ mot releasing full findings+ tests