Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a lifelong disorder, which can cause a person to do things repeatedly. This disorder is identified by two general symptoms: obsessions and compulsions. An obsession can be defines as an unwelcome, distressing thought or mental image. (Schwartz, 1996) It is a thought that annoys you so much that it causes distress and anxiety. Compulsions are the behaviors that people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder perform in an attempt to get rid of the fears and anxieties caused by their obsessions. (Schwartz, 1996) The disorder which usually starts in adolescence or early childhood, is more common that asthma or diabetes. (Baer, 1991) It affects one in forty people, or more than five million Americans. (Baer, 1991)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is related to a biochemical imbalance in the brain that can be treated effectively without drugs. This starts with a biochemical problem in the brain called "Brain Lock". (Schwartz, 1996) Four key structures of the brain become locked together and the brain sends false messages that the person cannot recognize as false. (Schwartz, 1996) One of the main signal-processing centers of the brain, made up of two structures called the caudate nucleus and the put amen, can be thought of like a gearshift in a car. (Schwartz, 1996) The caudate nucleus is like the automatic transmission for the thinking part of the brain (the front of the brain). (Schwartz, 1996)

The put amen is like the automatic transmission for the part of the brain that controls body movements. (Schwartz, 1996) The caudate nucleus works with the put amen for coordination of thought and movement during everyday activities. (Schwartz, 1996) However, in a person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, the caudate nucleus is not shifting gears correctly and messages from the front part of the brain get stuck there. (Schwartz, 1996) The brain gets "stuck in gear" and can't shift to the next thought. (Schwartz, 1996) When the brain gets stuck it might tell you to do something such as washing your hands again or checking the locks again, even though there is no reason to do so. (Schwartz, 1996)

Research has proven that behavioral disorders such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may have genetic roots. For example, people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may notice symptoms of it in family members. A person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has a 25 % chance of having a blood relative who has it. (Rapoport, 1989) There is a 70 % chance identical twins share it and a 50 % chance for fraternal twins. (Rapoport, 1989) Researchers think that multiple genes are involved. Women with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may have worse symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum because of a hormone that is triggered during pregnancy. (Rapoport, 1989)

Although stress doesn't cause Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a stressful event like the death of a loved one, birth of a child or divorce can trigger the start of the

disorder. (Baer, 1991) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is sometimes accompanied by other anxiety disorders, such as depression, eating disorders, substance abuse disorder, a

personality disorder, attention deficit disorder, etc. Symptoms of OCD are also seen in some other neurological disorders. There