comparing cognitive and biological approach when dealing wiht OCD
Comparing cognitive and biological approaches when dealing with OCD
When dealing with OCD the biological theory may be used when dealing with OCD to help with the treatment. Bio-psychologists believe that OCD is due to abnormal functioning of the nervous system especially the brain. This is because all behaviour results from nervous system activity, which is bound to have an effect on the way we think and behave. This is affected because different brain areas have different functions, when a particular function becomes over-reactive or under-reactive it may be known as a psychological symptom or abnormal behaviour. Our brain structure and the way in which it functions can be due to the influence of the genes we have inherited, but also down to the change in our neurotransmitters (BRAIN CHEMICALS).
Two important areas in the brain with OCD are; the thalamus which is responsible for our safety behaviours such as cleaning and checking things are switched off, with OCD this would be overactive. The other important area in the brain when someone has OCD is the orbitofrontal cortex, this is responsible for our anxiety feelings it is activated by the thalamus. In OCD the thalamus causes the intrusive, compulsive thoughts due to this the orbitofrontal cortex produces the anxiety thoughts and feelings until they are acted upon.
When treating OCD it requires altering the way the brain functions, this is so that the areas responsible for anxiety are reduced causing the anxiety levels to reduce or the brain communication causing the anxiety is stops communication with other brain areas. There are two ways in which this can be done; it can firstly be done chemically using (SSRI) Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibiter, these drugs reduce the activity of the chemical serotonin in the thalamus. The other way in which OCD can be treated is with surgery, this means that the connection between the thalamus and the orbitofrontal cortex is cut stopping the areas of the brain
When dealing with OCD the biological theory may be used when dealing with OCD to help with the treatment. Bio-psychologists believe that OCD is due to abnormal functioning of the nervous system especially the brain. This is because all behaviour results from nervous system activity, which is bound to have an effect on the way we think and behave. This is affected because different brain areas have different functions, when a particular function becomes over-reactive or under-reactive it may be known as a psychological symptom or abnormal behaviour. Our brain structure and the way in which it functions can be due to the influence of the genes we have inherited, but also down to the change in our neurotransmitters (BRAIN CHEMICALS).
Two important areas in the brain with OCD are; the thalamus which is responsible for our safety behaviours such as cleaning and checking things are switched off, with OCD this would be overactive. The other important area in the brain when someone has OCD is the orbitofrontal cortex, this is responsible for our anxiety feelings it is activated by the thalamus. In OCD the thalamus causes the intrusive, compulsive thoughts due to this the orbitofrontal cortex produces the anxiety thoughts and feelings until they are acted upon.
When treating OCD it requires altering the way the brain functions, this is so that the areas responsible for anxiety are reduced causing the anxiety levels to reduce or the brain communication causing the anxiety is stops communication with other brain areas. There are two ways in which this can be done; it can firstly be done chemically using (SSRI) Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibiter, these drugs reduce the activity of the chemical serotonin in the thalamus. The other way in which OCD can be treated is with surgery, this means that the connection between the thalamus and the orbitofrontal cortex is cut stopping the areas of the brain