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Alternative Names: OCD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors that significantly interfere with normal life. Obsessions are unwanted, recurrent, and disturbing thoughts which the person cannot suppress and which can cause overwhelming anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive, ritualized behaviors that the person feels driven to perform to alleviate the anxiety of the obsessions. The obsessive and compulsive rituals can occupy many hours of each day. It affects men, women, and children, as well as people of all races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
OCD is a medical illness recognized by experts throughout the world. People with OCD are not "crazy", although they may sometimes feel that way because they are troubled by thoughts and actions that they know are inappropriate. People with OCD are often anxious and depressed; they often believe they are the only ones who have irrational, obsessive thoughts, and are therefore often ashamed and afraid to tell anyone or to seek help. Having OCD is not a sign of weakness or a lack of willpower in stopping the thoughts and behaviors. At least 80% of patients with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions. Probably under 20% have only obsessions or compulsions.
The most common obsessions are: - Fear of contamination
- Fear of causing harm to another
- Fear of making a mistake
- Fear of behaving in a socially unacceptable manner
- Need for symmetry or exactness
- Excessive doubt
The most common compulsions are:- Cleaning/Washing
- Checking
- Arranging/Organizing
- Collecting/Hoarding
- Counting/Repeating
Incidence; Causes & Development
OCD is the fourth most common mental illness and affects approximately 5 million people in the United States.
Although the exact cause is not known, OCD appears to be caused by increased activity in the orbital frontal cortex and caudate nucleus of the brain. OCD may also involve abnormal functioning (low levels) of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain.
Stress does not cause OCD; however, a stressful event like the death of a loved one, birth of a child, or divorce can trigger the onset of the disorder.
Diagnosis & Tests
Diagnosis is delayed until the symptoms are "unmasked".
Treatment & Prevention
OCD is a treatable disease, and effective medications and therapy techniques are available: Sufferers can get better if they seek help and get the appropriate treatment.
The two most effective treatments for OCD are conventional drug therapy and behavioral therapy. It is generally most effective if the two can be used together.
Complications
Obsessions can cause anxiety, causing the sufferer to engage in compulsions in an attempt to alleviate the distress caused by the obsessions. Carrying out these compulsions, or rituals, does not result in any permanent change, and in fact, the OCD symptoms worsen.
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Conditions that suggest Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Risk factors for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) suggests the following may be present:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can lead to: | | | | | Mental |  Depression | Depression is a common complication of OCD: "up to 80% of people diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder also suffer from depression" [Barlow, 1988]. This should not be surprising, given the distressing, time consuming, and interfering nature of obsessions and compulsions. |
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Recommendations and treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): | | | | | Amino Acid / Protein |  Tryptophan / 5HTP| | OCD may be related to a central disturbance in serotonin metabolism, a hypothesis which appears to explain the efficacy of serotonin reuptake-blocking drugs. L- tryptophan and 5-HTP are serotonin precursors.
Side effects were mainly drowsiness and headaches in those whose daily doses of L- tryptophan exceeded 6,000mg. [Clinical Psychiatry News, September, 1981] Supplementation may be contraindicated in OCD patients with a history of aggressive behavior since it may increase |
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Drug |
 Conventional Drug Use| | The most effective medications for OCD are the SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, and Zoloft as well as the tricyclic Anafranil. Other medications may be added to improve the effect. |
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Lab Tests/Rule-Outs |
 Test for B12 Levels| | In one study of OCD patients, 20% had abnormally low serum vitamin B12 concentrations compared to the two control groups. [Acta Psychiatr Scand 78(1): 8-10, 1988.] |
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Nutrient |
Inositol| | One study showed that 18gm of inositol daily (2 tsp in juice 3 times daily) for 6 weeks significantly reduced OCD symptoms compared with placebo. At 3 weeks there were no significant effects of inositol. The mechanism may be that the desensitization of serotonin receptors is reversed by addition of dietary inositol. [Brain Res 631: pp.349- 51, 1993; American Journal of Psychiatry, September, 1996;153(9): pp.1219-1221] |
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Psychological |
Counseling| | Behavioral therapy teaches people with OCD to confront their fears and reduce the anxiety without performing the rituals. |
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Vitamins |
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)| | A study found plasma pyridoxal-5-phosphate (active vitamin B6) levels were about 48% lower in depressed patients than in controls, a statistically significant finding. 57% of depressed patients, but none of the controls, were B6-deficient. When B6 nutriture was evaluated by enzyme stimulation testing (a more sensitive method), all the depressed patients and none of the controls were deficient. [Russ CS et al. Vitamin B6 status of depressed and obsessive-compulsive patients. Nutr Rep Int 27( 4): pp.867-73, 1983] |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Proven definite or direct link | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Anxiety
Apprehension of danger, or dread, accompanied by nervous restlessness, tension, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath unrelated to a clearly identifiable stimulus.
Cobalamin (B12, B-12, Cobalamine, Vitamin B12)
Essential for normal growth and functioning of all body cells, especially those of bone marrow (red blood cell formation), gastrointestinal tract and nervous system, it prevents pernicious anemia and plays a crucial part in the reproduction of every cell of the body i.e. synthesis of genetic material (DNA).
Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Gram (gm, gms, Gramme, Grammes, Grams)
A metric unit of weight, there being approximately 28 grams in one ounce.
Inositol
Usually considered part of the vitamin B complex. It is thought that along with choline, inositol is necessary for the formation of lecithin within the body. Involved in calcium mobilization.
Metabolism (Metabolic, Metabolize, Metabolizes, Metabolizing)
The chemical processes of living cells in which energy is produced in order to replace and repair tissues and maintain a healthy body. Responsible for the production of energy, biosynthesis of important substances, and degradation of various compounds. Also defined as the sum total of changes in an organism in order to achieve a balance (homeostasis): Catabolic burns up, anabolic stores and builds up; the sum of their work is metabolism.
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Obsessive Compulsive, Obsessive-Compulsive, OCD)
Those suffering from OCD have obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions refer to recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are intrusive and cause severe anxiety or distress. Compulsions refer to repetitive behaviors and rituals (such as hand washing, hoarding, ordering, checking) or mental acts (like counting, repeating words silently, avoiding). These obsessions and compulsions significantly interfere with normal routine, functioning, social activities and relationships.
Placebo (Placebos)
A pharmacologically inactive substance. Often used to compare clinical responses against the effects of pharmacologically active substances in experiments.
Precursor (Precursors)
A biochemical substance, such as an intermediate compound in a chain of enzymatic reactions, from which a more stable or definitive product is formed.
Serotonin
A phenolic amine neurotransmitter (C10H12N2O) that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and is found especially in the brain, blood serum and gastric membranes of mammals. Considered essential for relaxation, sleep, and concentration.
Serum
The cell-free fluid of the bloodstream. It appears in a test tube after the blood clots and is often used in expressions relating to the levels of certain compounds in the blood stream.
Syndrome
A medical condition characterized by a collection of related symptoms (what the patient feels) and signs (what a doctor can observe or measure).
Teaspoon (Teaspoons, tsp)
Equivalent to 5cc (5ml).
Tryptophan
Essential amino acid. Natural relaxant and sleep aid due to its precursor role in serotonin (a neurotransmitter) synthesis. Along with tyrosine, it is used in the treatment of addictions.
Vitamin B6 (B6, B-6)
Influences many body functions including regulating blood glucose levels, manufacturing hemoglobin and aiding the utilization of protein, carbohydrates and fats. It also aids in the function of the nervous system.
Last updated: Jun 28, 2008
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