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Psychopathology - Biological Approach to OCD (Treatment (the main drugs…
Psychopathology - Biological Approach to OCD
Explanation
Genetic explanations
majority of research studies focus on twins and families
gene-mapping studies (compare the genetic material of OCD sufferers with non-sufferers to see if there is a difference)
found a variant of the OLIG-2 gene makes some individuals more vulnerable to developing OCD
however, it is more likely to be a combination of genes that determines an individuals level of vulnerability
Neural explanations
PET scans show OCD sufferers have high levels of activity in the orbital frontal cortex
orbital frontal cortex = initiates activity upon receiving impulses to act and stops the activity when the impulse lessens
means OCD sufferers with an overactive OFC are unable to stop acting on impulse
low levels of serotonin has been linked to OCD
these low levels can be assumed to cause overactivity in the orbital frontal cortex
hSERT (human serotonin transporter gene) has been associated to OCD, it leads to diminished levels of serotonin
Evaluation of Explanation
Supporting evidence
:red_flag: Grootheest et. al.: reviewed 28 twin studies and found that in both children and adults, OCD is inevitable - indicates a genetic component
:red_flag: Stewart et al.: found a variant of OLIG-2 gene was common amongst OCD patients and family members (gene-mapped)
Strengths
gene-mapping studies have found further support for a genetic link to OCD
drugs that increases levels of serotonin, decrease symptoms of OCD
genetics has a 45-65% influence in children and 27-47% in adults
Weaknesses
twin/family studies fail to separate biological factors from environmental factors
concordance rates aren't 100% which means it is not completely genetic, environment can also influence
there has been little research into how genetic inheritance and neural mechanisms relate to the precise mechanisms of the disorder
unclear whether different types of OCD have different degrees of inheritance
not all sufferers respond positively to serotonin-enhancing drugs which lessens the support for abnormal levels of the neurotransmitter being the sole cause
Treatment
biological treatment is based on the assumption that OCD is due to faulty neural mechanisms and the drugs prescribed aim to correct these
the main drugs used to treat OCD are antidepressants, such as SSRI's
these block the re-absorption of serotonin from synapses, which means there is more serotonin available and causes the OFC to function normally
most common type of SSRI: Prozac
treatment usually lasts between 12-16 weeks
anxiolytic drugs are anti-anxiety drugs, such as Benzodiazepines
these are used to address the anxiety experienced by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA
most common type of Benzodiazepine: Valium
anti-psychotic drugs are sometimes used where SSRI treatment hasn't proven effective/caused severe side effects
these lower dopamine levels
most common type of anti-psychotic: Risperidone
Evaluation of Treatment
Supporting evidence
:red_flag: Julien: reported that studies of SSRI's show that although symptoms do not fully disappear, between 50-80% of patients improve
Strengths
drug therapy is relatively cheap and easy as they don't require a therapist to administer them and are user-friendly form of treatment
most effective treatment is said to be a combined approach of drug therapy and CBT
Weaknesses
drugs are not a cure as all they do is reduce the obsessions/compulsions to a level that enables a more normal lifestyle
patients might experience side-effects of loss of sexual appetite/ability, irritability, sleep pattern disturbance, headaches, loss of appetite
anti-depressants known to produce side effects of heightened levels of suicidal thinking
CBT has been found a successful treatment in OCD, means drug therapies are not necessary