Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is defined by Obsessions and Compulsions. Obsessions are thoughts, impulses, or imagers that occur repeatedly, even though the person with OCD does not want them and finds them extremely disturbing. Compulsions are behaviors or rituals. So the definition of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder would be reoccurring thoughts, impulses, and images that are acted on by repeated rituals or behaviors. People with OCD begin thinking about there obsessions like hand washing or cleaning, this begins to give them anxiety. They then have compulsions and do the obsessions that were giving them anxiety. Next they feel relief until the compulsions start again. Most people feel trapped in this never ended cycle called the OCD cycle: Compulsions, Anxiety, Obsessions, Relief, and then the cycle starts all over again with Compulsions.
There are many theories about the causes of OCD. They are studying brain abnormalities, genetic influences and environmental factors. They have also found people with OCD have abnormalities in other parts of the brain, and in imbalance of brain chemicals especially serotonin. Another thing noticed was they have a high orbital glucose metabolism. Most recent studies point toward a biological basis for OCD. There may be subtypes of OCD and the subtypes might have distinct biological mechanisms. As research continues, the understanding of the neurological and related biochemical mechanisms will improve. PET Scans have shown abnormalities in the sub-orbital cortex and the basal ganglia. A striking abnormality was increased activity in the sub-orbital cortex. When patients were successfully treated, whether with psychotherapy or medication, the brain scan studies resembled those individuals without OCD. Serotonin seems to be involved in mediating the interaction between these two parts of the brain.
Characteristics of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder include Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or...