Biological approach to explaining and treating OCD

Biological approach to explaining and treating OCD

1. genetic

   • OCD can be inherited through genetic transmission - research on twin studies
   • gene mapping studies - comparing genetic material between sufferers and non sufferers
     • genetic similarity between ocd and tourette's
   • particular genes being involved that makes individuals venerable to developing the disorder
     • combo of genes
   • Research & evaluation
     • prevalence of OCD in family - found it's heritable conditions can cause onset for the disorder
     • gene analysis found that dogs with OCD have higher particular gene variations
       • can't generalise dogs w humans
     • there must be some environmental influence as concordance results between M/Z twins is not 100%
     • If disorder is inherited then why are are the ocd behaviours different?

2. neural

   • can be caused by a breakdown in the immune system (throat infections, lyme disease)
     • makes individual more vulnerable to the onset of disorder
     • more in children
   • PET scans show low levels of serotonin in brains of OCD patients
     • increasing serotonin reduced symptoms of ocd
   • ocd sufferers have high activity levels in orbital frontal cortex
     • orbital frontal cortex helps reduce impulses by doing an action to satisfy it or just lessens it
     • ocd patients have difficulty ignoring impulses or switching off - obsessive behaviour
   • Research and evaluation
     • children with throat infections showed sudden ocd symptoms after
     • 40% of lyme disease sufferers led to having ocd
     • infections don't cause ocd but trigger it instead
     • not all ocd sufferers responded well to serotonin increasing drugs

3. biological treatment

   • drug therapy
     • anti-depressants used - elevate serotonin levels and lets orbital frontal cortex to function properly
     • SSRIs - prozac
     • lasts between 12-16 weeks
     • anxiolytic drugs for anxiety lowering properties
     • anti-psychotic drugs - dopamine lowering effects
     • research & evaluation
       • symptoms don't fully disappear but 50-80% ocd sufferers improve and live normally
       • loss of sexual appetite, irritability, sleep disturbance are side effects - off putting
       • more tolerable for adults as they can handle it better
       • relatively cheap, quicker than therapist
       • drug companies may be putting profit before health
   • psychosurgery
     • destroying brain tissue with radio waves to disrupt the compulsive thoughts
     • deep brain stimulation using magnetic pulses on the brain area
     • research and evaluation
       • 30% of patients had a 45% reduction in symptoms
       • occasional complications - seizures and urinary incontinence
       • 10% of patients can get worse over time using drugs - this seems valid

4. CBT

   • habituation training - changing obsessive thoughts
     • taught to focus on what would happen realistically if they don't compluse
     • encouraged to practice new adaptive beliefs
   • effective but effective is increased when paired w drugs
   • better in reducing symptoms = more effective
   • not suitable to those who find it hard to talk about inner feelings
   • lengthly process