Comprehensive OCD Notes for AQA A Level Psychology

Understanding OCD and What Makes Behaviour "Abnormal"

Before diving into OCD specifically, psychologists use four main ways to decide if behaviour is abnormal. These include statistical infrequency (rare behaviour), deviation from social norms (going against what society expects), failure to function adequately (can't cope with daily life), and deviation from ideal mental health.

OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder that involves persistent, intrusive thoughts that won't go away. These show up as either obsessions (unwanted thoughts) or compulsions (repetitive behaviours) - sometimes both together.

The DSM-5 recognises several types of OCD-related disorders. Apart from classic OCD, there's trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling), hoarding disorder (collecting things obsessively and never throwing anything away), and excoriation disorder (compulsive skin-picking).

Obsessions are cognitive - they're internal, intrusive thoughts like "germs are everywhere and will harm me." Compulsions are behavioural - external, repetitive actions like washing your hands every time you touch something to avoid getting ill.

Quick Tip: Remember obsessions happen in your head, compulsions are what you actually do with your body.

How OCD Actually Affects People's Lives

The behavioural symptoms of OCD are pretty intense and time-consuming. Compulsions aren't just quick habits - they can completely take over someone's day. Think opening and closing a door 16 times just to feel less anxious about whether it's properly locked.

These compulsions do serve a purpose though - they temporarily reduce anxiety levels. However, people with OCD often start avoiding situations that might trigger their obsessions, which can seriously impact their social life and relationships.

Emotionally, OCD is exhausting. Sufferers experience extreme anxiety that's way beyond normal worry levels. They also deal with intense guilt and self-disgust over things that wouldn't bother most people, plus depression and low moods from the constant mental battle.

The cognitive side involves obsessive thoughts that keep recurring and feel completely intrusive. Here's the really frustrating part - people with OCD usually know their thoughts and behaviours are irrational, but they literally can't stop them. They often have catastrophic thinking about worst-case scenarios if they don't perform their compulsions.

Remember: Having OCD doesn't mean someone lacks willpower - their brain genuinely processes anxiety differently.

Why Do Some People Develop OCD? The Genetic Side

The biological explanation for OCD starts with genetics, and the evidence is pretty compelling. Way back in 1936, researcher Aubrey Lewis found that 37% of his OCD patients had parents with the condition, and 21% had siblings with it - suggesting it definitely runs in families.

But here's the crucial bit: genes don't guarantee you'll get OCD. Instead, the diathesis-stress model explains that genes create vulnerability, but you need a stressful trigger to actually develop the condition. So genetics load the gun, but stress pulls the trigger.

Scientists have identified candidate genes that increase OCD risk, including the COMT gene (linked to high dopamine) and the SERT gene (affecting serotonin transport). These genes help regulate neurotransmitters that control mood.

OCD is polygenic, meaning it's not caused by just one gene but by multiple genetic variations working together. Steven Taylor's 2013 research suggested up to 230 different genes might be involved! This also explains why different people can have very different types of OCD - it's what scientists call "aetiologically heterogeneous."

Key Point: Twin studies show 68% of identical twins both get OCD compared to only 31% of non-identical twins - strong evidence for genetic influence.

The Brain Chemistry Behind OCD

While genes set the stage, the actual symptoms of OCD seem linked to abnormal neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin and dopamine. These chemical messengers help neurons communicate, and when they're out of balance, problems arise.

Low serotonin levels are especially important in OCD. Since serotonin helps regulate mood and thought patterns, insufficient amounts lead to impaired information processing and those persistent obsessive thoughts that won't go away.

There are also structural brain differences in people with OCD. The lateral frontal lobes (responsible for decision-making and logical thinking) and the parahippocampal gyrus (which processes unpleasant emotions) often function abnormally.

The evidence supporting neural explanations is quite strong. Antidepressants that boost serotonin levels (like SSRIs) effectively reduce OCD symptoms in many patients. Research by Hu in 2006 directly measured serotonin activity and confirmed that OCD sufferers have lower levels than healthy individuals.

However, there's still the chicken-and-egg problem - we don't know if brain changes cause OCD or result from having the condition. Plus, not everyone with OCD responds to serotonin-boosting medications, suggesting other factors are involved too.

Food for Thought: The fact that brain chemistry treatments work doesn't prove brain chemistry causes OCD - correlation isn't causation!

Treating OCD with Medication

Drug therapy is often the first-line treatment for OCD, mainly because it's quick to start and relatively inexpensive compared to therapy. The primary approach involves SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), which are a type of antidepressant.

SSRIs work by preventing the brain from reabsorbing serotonin too quickly. Normally, serotonin gets released, delivers its message, then gets broken down or reused. SSRIs block this reabsorption process, keeping more serotonin active in the synapses between neurons.

The catch is that SSRIs take 3-4 months to show real effects on OCD symptoms - they're not a quick fix. A common SSRI used is Fluoxetine, often combined with cognitive behavioural therapy for better results.

When SSRIs don't work, doctors might try tricyclics (older antidepressants with more side effects) or SNRIs (which boost both serotonin and noradrenaline levels). These alternatives are usually reserved for more severe cases or when first-line treatments fail.

Reality Check: Soomro's 2008 research across 17 trials proved SSRIs work better than dummy pills, giving solid evidence for their effectiveness.

Does Medication Actually Work for OCD?

The strengths of drug therapy are pretty clear-cut. It's quick and easy for GPs to prescribe, much cheaper than long-term therapy, and genuinely helps manage symptoms even if it doesn't cure OCD completely. This means people can get some relief while waiting for other treatments.

However, the limitations are significant. Simpson's 2004 study found that 45% of patients relapsed within 12 weeks of stopping medication, compared to only 12% who had CBT. This suggests drugs might just mask symptoms rather than actually treating the underlying condition.

Side effects can be pretty grim too - SSRIs can cause blurred vision, loss of sexual appetite, irritability, indigestion, and disrupted sleep patterns. These problems often make patients less willing to stick with their medication, which obviously defeats the point.

The bigger picture shows that while medication can be helpful, it's not a magic bullet. Many people need a combination approach with therapy, and some don't respond to drugs at all, suggesting that purely biological explanations and treatments miss part of the puzzle.

Bottom Line: Medication can be a useful tool for managing OCD symptoms, but it works best as part of a broader treatment plan rather than a standalone solution.