Obsessive-compulsive disorder

:For other things named "OCD", see OCD (disambiguation). For other types of "obsession", see obsession (disambiguation). For other types of "compulsion", see compulsion (disambiguation).

Causes and related disorders

Recent research has revealed a possible genetic mutation that could be the cause of OCD. Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have found a mutation in the human serotonin transporter gene, hSERT, in unrelated families with OCD.

Related Topics:
Genetic mutation - National Institutes of Health - Serotonin - HSERT

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Violence is rare among OCD sufferers, but the disorder is often debilitating to the quality of life. Also, the psychological self-awareness of the irrationality of the disorder can be painful. For people with severe OCD, it may take several hours a day to carry out the compulsive acts. To avoid perceived obsession triggers, they also often avoid certain situations or places altogether.

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Sufferers are generally of above-average intelligence, as the very nature of the disorder necessitates complicated thinking patterns.

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Some people with OCD also suffer from conditions such as Tourette syndrome, compulsive skin picking, body dysmorphic disorder and trichotillomania.

Related Topics:
Tourette syndrome - Compulsive skin picking - Body dysmorphic disorder - Trichotillomania

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Some cases are thought to be caused at least in part by childhood streptococcal infections and are termed PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus). The streptococcal antibodies become involved in an autoimmune process.

Related Topics:
Streptococcal - Autoimmune

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OCD in men at least may be partially caused by low oestrogen levels (external link about this is below).

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