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Although there are no known specific causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, there are studies being conducted that may indicate there may be a genetic predisposition or component. Other studies indicate that chemical imbalances in the brain are the cause of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In other cases, environment is a factor and cause of OCD, such as childhood traumas, for example children who have been sexually abused, may develop OCD. |
The Genetic Cause
Studies have found that the brain of a person with OCD works differently than a person's brain who does not have OCD. Scientist believe that their could be a genetic factor that alters one of the brain's chemical receptor called SEROTONIN and DOPAMINE. Research suggests that there seems to be a kind of communication problem between the front part of the brain (orbitofrontal cortex) and the interior parts of the brain (anterior angular cingulate cortex and amygdala).
However, it is difficult to pin-point genetics as the cause of OCD, mainly due to the fact that there are several variations in severity of the disorder. Therefore, there seems to be a lack in consistent evidence that support genetics as a cause. In a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, it was found that the amygdala, a part of the brain that responds to fear and anxiety, is highly activated in individuals with OCD. As a result, the symptoms of anxiety and irrational fears, specifically those of sexual/religious and aggression are magnified.
However, it is difficult to pin-point genetics as the cause of OCD, mainly due to the fact that there are several variations in severity of the disorder. Therefore, there seems to be a lack in consistent evidence that support genetics as a cause. In a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, it was found that the amygdala, a part of the brain that responds to fear and anxiety, is highly activated in individuals with OCD. As a result, the symptoms of anxiety and irrational fears, specifically those of sexual/religious and aggression are magnified.
Family Predisposition
Some evidence shows how family history plays a role in the predisposition of developing OCD, chances are increased if there is or was a blood family member who had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Environmental Causes
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep (PANDAS) has been studied to be the cause of sudden onset OCD symptoms. PANDAS was defined by Dr. Sue Swedo in 1998 where she found children developed classic symptoms of OCD; behaviors typical to OCD such as obsessive fear of germs, moving in circles for hours, washing hands until they bleed, asking the same question over and over, and other such behaviors. OCD in PANDAS related cases can start as early as ages of 5 or 6, this is in correspondence to the diagnosis of strep.
Studies have found that in PANDAS cases, what seems to occur is that the body's autoimmune system, once it's set off by diseases such as strep, Mono, Lyme, H1N1 flu, or Mycoplasma, it attacks certain parts of the brain (basal ganglia). As a result of this attack, neuropsychiatric disorders are a part of the side affects.
Studies have found that in PANDAS cases, what seems to occur is that the body's autoimmune system, once it's set off by diseases such as strep, Mono, Lyme, H1N1 flu, or Mycoplasma, it attacks certain parts of the brain (basal ganglia). As a result of this attack, neuropsychiatric disorders are a part of the side affects.