Causes and Mechanisms That Underlie the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Similarly, adults take leaves during the year to enable them to break the monotony of doing the same job every day. There is, however, another group of persons that is always obsessed with carrying out repetitive actions, which in most cases are not necessary. Such exaggerations may point to the onset of the Obsessional Compulsive Disorder. Despite the strange thoughts and actions exhibited by persons suffering from this condition, it does not necessarily mean that they have gone mad. Instead, it is important to delineate between normal and abnormal obsessions because the latter affects both interpersonal relationships and quality of life. As they begin to grow older, their fears change so that they are always obsessed with the thoughts of getting ill from contaminated food or AIDS.

One of the most common coping strategies adopted to keep these feelings in check is the development of rituals. Despite the absence of a definitive cause for the obsessive-compulsive disorder, most studies point to environmental, cognitive, hereditary, behavioral and biological underpinnings. The genetic linkage of the condition has a 0. 45 to 0. Streptococcal infections have also been associated with the progression of OCD symptoms in children. Lack (2014) views this as a form of an autoimmune reaction where the body’s immune system attacks the basal ganglia in the brain. However, no sufficient evidence supports the role of infectious agents in the development of OCD in adults. Symptoms have also been observed to worsen in some women who are undergoing postpartum, hence the presumption that fluctuations in hormonal levels are involved in the progression of the condition.

Similarly, the lack of OCD concordance among monozygotic twins also proves that non-heritable factors can increase the risk of developing the state. The primary purpose of this step is to acknowledge uncomfortable psychological experiences and try to control and eliminate the issue at hand. Olatunji, Davis, Powers and Smits (2013) recognize that the inclusion of a structured CBT protocol also allows the patients to challenge their symptoms and learn new ways of coping with anxiety. Repeated sessions help in desensitizing situations that previously triggered anxiety, and eventually eliminates compulsions and obsessions. This treatment approach has proved useful with many clients showing significant improvement over a period of four to six months. Individuals exhibiting OCD may also benefit a lot from combining the cognitive behavior therapy with prescribed medication.

Another critical observation relates to the efficacy of SSRI in treating the obsessive-compulsive disorder at higher doses (Abramowitz & Cooperman, 2015). In this regard, OCD specialists have adopted higher dosages and longer treatment duration to achieve clinical relevance. The average response time for most patients is usually eight to twelve weeks. There are, however, other instances where improvement is achieved more rapidly. Adolescents and children respond differently to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, unlike their adult counterparts. Obsessions can either take the form of persistent and unwanted impulses, images or thoughts. Although involuntarily produced, these recurrent episodes tend to interfere with a person’s normal functioning and are almost impossible to repress. Some of the features exhibited by patients include thoughts of unwanted sex and an urge to cause harm.

Conversely, compulsions are characterized by purposeful behaviors that drive people to carry out repeatedly in accordance with certain rules. The purpose of engaging in such actions is to rid oneself of contamination or any sense of danger. Franklin and Foa (2011) urge that the first step towards treatment of OCD is explaining to explain to the doctor about the symptoms. The doctor can then choose to prescribe medication, psychotherapy or both. Overall, cognitive behavior therapy appears to be the most efficient psychotherapeutic measure. This is because of the way it teaches people different ways of thinking, behaving and reacting to situations in a manner that makes them feel less nervous or having the need to act compulsively. Powerful medications can also be taken to ease symptoms, but only after prescription by a doctor.

References Abramovitch, A. , & Cooperman, A. The cognitive neuropsychology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a critical review.  Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 5, 24-36. Bandelow, B. B. , Malavazzi, D. M. , Valério, C. , Fossaluza, V. F. , & Pittenger, C. Meta-analysis of the dose-response relationship of SSRI in obsessive-compulsive disorder.  Molecular psychiatry, 15(8), 850. Brakoulias, V. , & Foa, E. B. Treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder.  Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7, 229-243. Franklin, M.  JaMa, 306(11), 1224-1232. Geller, D. A. , & March, J. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Lack, C. W. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Etiology, Phenomenology, and Treatment.  Hampshire, UK: Onus Books. Olatunji, B. M. , Burke, N. , & Lewin, A. B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptom dimensions: Etiology, phenomenology, and clinical implications.  Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(6), 410-424. Pittenger, C.