1. Biological Explanations and Treatments for OCD
BATs
Outline (D/E) and evaluate (C+)the Biological Approach to OCD
Outline biological therapies for OCD (D)
Evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of Biological therapies for OCD
(B+)

2. What causes OCD? Researchers are split over the cause of OCD
One one hand it is thought to be a Psychological disorder
On the other hand some think it may be the result of abnormalities in the brain

3. What causes OCD?
At AS ,in the stress and Abnormality topics, you learned that anxiety and fear are natural and adaptive responses (i.e the behaviour had an advantage for survival)
This suggests anxiety and fear have a Biological basis
We might then expect that abnormal fears and anxieties are biologically based

4. Biological Explanations for OCD
In pairs research and make notes or do a presentation about either genetic factors or the Evolutionary approach to OCD
You will then teach the other group
Finish off by doing a summary sheet
p and OCD workbook

5. Plenary
Complete the ‘Target and Challenge’ worksheet

6. Biological Therapies
The main biological therapies for OCD are chemotherapy (drugs) and psychosurgery
They are usually used in conjunction with Psychological therapies because they reduce anxiety levels to enable the patient to engage in Psychotherapy
The American Psychiatric Association in recommended that drugs should only be used in severe cases or in conjunction with psychotherapy

7. Biological Therpaies
Psychosurgery is a controversial therapy for OCD - see the case study of Mary Lou Zimmerman on p 211
A fairly recent treatment is less invasive - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
In pairs find out about either Chemotherapy or Psychosurgery
tms
TMS
deep brain and parkinsons
deep brain anim

8. Evaluating Biological therapies
For each therapy evaluate its..
appropriateness
effectiveness
What synoptic points are related to this type of therapy?

9. Plenary
Create a leaflet to inform OCD patients of possible Biological therapies.
or do the Biological Breakdown worksheet to help you write an essay about Biological explanations for OCD - see p 207 for a question.