Explanations of Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Biochemical 

Neuro psychological findings have found that most OCD patients have increased brain activity in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere. Also, biochemical findings suggested that OCD may be genetic and/or a result of certain neurotrasmitters.

• Taj et al (2013) found that controls and OCD patients were all genotyped for the DRD4 gene and variants, however the 7R allele frequency was higher in the OCD group (especially females), suggesting a potential genetic cause for OCD.
• Humble et al (2011) found that at baseline, levels of oxytocin were positively correlated with OCD symptoms as measured by the Y-BOCS and those with early on set OCD had the highest levels. The researchers also suggested that reduced levels of serotonin may be linked to OCD.

---

Cognitive – behavioural aspect 

The compulsions performed are believed to be learned behaviour that is positively reinforced by reduction of anxiety when the ritual is performed.

The obsessions are believed to be thoughts that patients label as dangerous and are unable to control, which makes them more aware of their presence. This confusing thinking process leaves the patient trapped and they are unable to focus on anything else. 

Thus, a person will OCD will engage in the compulsion whenever they experience an obsession to reduce the anxiety from the negative thoughts.

---

Psychodynamic 

Belief that obsessions and compulsions are indicators of suppressed, unconscious conflicts that are particularly distressing, which leads them to be transferred to a more managable task or activity like hand washing.

Freud believed that patients were fixated at the anal stage of the psychosexual development and the ID’s desires (satisfaction from bowel movement) were in conflict with the superego’s morals (parents teaching children to control their bowel movement). Thus, this causes the EGO to fail to control both the desires and morals.