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EXPLAINING OCD - Coggle Diagram
EXPLAINING OCD
Biological approach
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neural explanations = genes are likely to affect neurotransmitter levels as well as brain structures
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counterpoint
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They found that 68% of identical twins and 32% of non-identical twins also experience OCD, which suggests a very strong genetic component.
However despite the previous criticism, studies involving identical and non-identical twins provide further strong support for a genetic explanation of OCD
strong evidence for a genetic link to OCD due to the higher concordance rates of the genetically identical twins compared to the genetically non-identical twins.
empirical support
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drugs that increase the availability of serotonin levels do reduce the symptoms of OCD does not actually ‘prove’ that low levels of serotonin cause the disorder
genetic explanation
COMT GENE
Genes have different variation (alleles) and one variation of the COMT gene has been found to be more common in patients with OCD
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COMT gene is associated with the regulation and production of the excitatory neurotransmitter called dopamine
SERT GENE
If mutated, the SERT gene can result in lower levels of serotonin which has been implicated in OCD.
a mutation of the SERT gene was found in two unrelated families where 6 out of the 7 members all had OCD.
The SERT gene is linked to the inhibitory neurotransmitter called serotonin and is responsible for the transport of serotonin
suggest OCD is an inherited condition, they have a biological predisposition in that they posses specific genes which have been passed on across generations via strands of DNA
counterpoint
means that genetic factors cannot be the only factor contributing to OCD and there must be other factors which also contribute to this disorder, reducing the validity of an entirely genetic explanation
The nature - nurture debate is therefore relevant with genetic explanations supporting an extreme nativist argument as it supports the view that OCD is part of an individual’s genetic makeup.
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neural explanations
when low serotonin levels are experienced by someone with OCD, it can make them edgier and more hyper aware of their environments than usual, resulting in increased OCD-related behaviours
one particular class of drug has proved effective in the treatment of OCD: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs)
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One explanation of OCD is the serotonin hypothesis with people suffering from anxiety disorders like OCD having low levels of serotonin
counterpoint
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there is also empirical evidence that psychological therapies (e.g. CBT) are effective in the treatment of OCD