Abstract

OBSESSIVE–COMPULSIVE DISORDER: PREVALENT AND DEBILITATING ILLNESS

Ashwani Arya* and Shivani Soodan

ABSTRACT

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder characterized by absurd, recurrent and uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) that produce anxiety, which are followed by repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. OCD may be looked upon as a condition in which the affected person frequently experiences irresistible urges to perform repetitive rituals (compulsions). OCD is a prevalent and debilitating illness that often follows a chronic course. Although the neurobiology and etiology of OCD are not completely understood, growing clinical and preclinical evidence appears to support the abnormalities of glutamatergic neurotransmission, including N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype receptor (NMDAR) function, in the pathophysiology and treatment of OCD. The brain regions impaired in OCD includes dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), basal ganglia, orbito-frontal cortex (OFC), striatum, amygdala, thalamus and brainstem OCD may be defined as the irruption in the mind of uncontrollable, egodystonic and recurrent thoughts, impulses or images. In OCD, repetitive rituals serve to counteract the anxiety precipitated by obsessions. The OCD patients realize the irrational nature of thoughts and rituals but feel helpless and hopeless about controlling them. Obsessive-Compulsive disorder can impair all areas of brain functioning and produce devastating effects on patients and their families.

Keywords: OCD, Obsessions, compulsions, Amygdala.