OCD

What's OCD and what are the symptoms? 

Obsessive compulsive disorder - OCD for short - is a mental disorder disorder, characterized by unwanted, uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions) and consequentially excessive and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions interfere with a person's daily activities and cause severe distress. Around 1-2% of the global population struggle with forms of this disorder.

This is the OCD cycle which illustrates the sequences of obsession ('What if...'), inducing anxiety, followed by compulsion ('Avoid sitting...') and a temporary relieve. Please note that by giving your obsessions compulsions, people feel relieved and freed but this feeling only lasts temporarily until another obsession occurs - the cycle is repetitive and it's vital to work on breaking it up in order to stop the later repercussions. 

This topic belongs to the branch psychopathology (i.e. the scientific study of mental illness and disorders). I could discuss OCD from various psychological approaches' standpoints (cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic…), however, I shall look into the explanations and treatments for OCD specifically from the biological point of view.

Explanations for OCD

In biologically explaining OCD, it is vital to consider the role of genes as well as neurons.

For the genetic part, there are existing 'candidate genes' which have been identified by the researchers to create vulnerability in to OCD. Some of these genes are involved in regulating the serotonin and dopamine activity.

In a study done by Lewis in 1936, it's been shown that of his OCD patients, 37% had parents with OCD and 21% had siblings with OCD. This implies that OCD runs in families. However, what is probably passed on from one generation to the next is the genetic vulnerability in itself, meaning it doesn't only contribute to the development of OCD but other disorders as well. According to the 'diathesis-stress model', particular genes leave some people more likely to develop a mental disorder.

Furthermore, OCD is polygenic, meaning there are more than one genes involved. As stated by Steven Taylor in 2013, there are supposedly over 230 genes involved in OCD.

From the neurological slant, serotonin plays a significant role as a neurotransmitter and is believed to regulate mood. As neurotransmitters are responsible for relaying info from one neuron to another, if a person has low serotonin levels, then normal transmission of mood-relevant info doesn't take place, leading to the person having low mood levels. In addition, some cases of OCD may be associated with abnormal functioning of different parts of the brain, like the lateral of the frontal lobe, which is responsible for decision making and logical thinking.

Treatments for OCD

OCD is commonly treated with drug therapies. They aim to increase or decrease the levels or activity of neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin, dopamine) in the brain.

The standard medical treatment used to tackle the OCD symptoms involves a particular antidepressant drug called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which prevent the reabsorption and breakdown, SSRIs effectively increase levels of serotonin in the synapse and thus continue to stimulate the postsynaptic neuron. SSRI can be combined with other drug-free treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy.

In summary, OCD is a complex disorder influenced by both genetic and neurological factors. It is unpleasant for those dealing with it and requires a lot of effort to get free off. There are, nevertheless, modern therapies as well as medicaments to contribute to recovery and improve peoples' well-being.