Why Can’t I Stop Thinking About It?

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique C. Pfaltz ◽  
Beatrice Mörstedt ◽  
Andrea H. Meyer ◽  
Frank H. Wilhelm ◽  
Joe Kossowsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Thought Processes ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Vulnerability Factor ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Order Factor ◽  
Maladaptive Thought ◽  
Severe Anxiety

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe anxiety disorder characterized by frequent obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Neuroticism is a vulnerability factor for OCD, yet the mechanisms by which this general vulnerability factor affects the development of OCD-related symptoms are unknown. The present study assessed a hierarchical model of the development of obsessive thoughts that includes neuroticism as a general, higher-order factor, and specific, potentially maladaptive thought processes (thought suppression, worry, and brooding) as second-order factors manifesting in the tendency toward obsessing. A total of 238 participants completed questionnaires assessing the examined constructs. The results of mediator analyses demonstrated the hypothesized relationships: A positive association between neuroticism and obsessing was mediated by thought suppression, worry, and brooding. Independent of the participant’s sex, all three mediators contributed equally and substantially to the association between neuroticism and obsessing. These findings extend earlier research on hierarchical models of anxiety and provide a basis for further refinement of models of the development of obsessive thoughts.

Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory – Child Version (OCI-CV) in General Population

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tíscar Rodríguez-Jiménez ◽  
Antonio Godoy ◽  
José A. Piqueras ◽  
Aurora Gavino ◽  
Agustín E. Martínez-González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Good Consistency ◽  
Order Factor ◽  
General Populations ◽  
Report Measure

Abstract. Evidence-based assessment is necessary as a first step for developing psychopathological studies and assessing the effectiveness of empirically validated treatments. There are several measures of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or symptomatology in children and adolescents, but all of them present some limitations. The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) by Foa and her colleagues has showed to be a good self-report measure to capture the dimensionality of OCD in adults and adolescents. The child version of the OCI (OCI-CV) was validated for clinical children and adolescents in 2010, showing excellent psychometric properties. The objective of this study was to examine the factor structure and invariance of the OCI-CV in the general population. Results showed a six-factor structure with one second-order factor, good consistency values, and invariance across region, age, and sex. The OCI-CV is an excellent inventory for assessing the dimensions of OCD symptomatology in general populations of children and adolescents. The invariance across sex and age warrants its utilization for research purposes.

scholarly journals Repeated Cortico-Striatal Stimulation Generates Persistent OCD-Like Behavior

Science ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 340 (6137) ◽  
pp. 1234-1239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne E. Ahmari ◽  
Timothy Spellman ◽  
Neria L. Douglass ◽  
Mazen A. Kheirbek ◽  
H. Blair Simpson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Orbitofrontal Cortex ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Mouse Behavior ◽  
First Line ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Chronic Fluoxetine

Although cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit dysregulation is correlated with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), causation cannot be tested in humans. We used optogenetics in mice to simulate CSTC hyperactivation observed in OCD patients. Whereas acute orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)–ventromedial striatum (VMS) stimulation did not produce repetitive behaviors, repeated hyperactivation over multiple days generated a progressive increase in grooming, a mouse behavior related to OCD. Increased grooming persisted for 2 weeks after stimulation cessation. The grooming increase was temporally coupled with a progressive increase in light-evoked firing of postsynaptic VMS cells. Both increased grooming and evoked firing were reversed by chronic fluoxetine, a first-line OCD treatment. Brief but repeated episodes of abnormal circuit activity may thus set the stage for the development of persistent psychopathology.

Repeating, counting, and touching to prevent harm

2021 ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Ivana Viani
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Response Prevention ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Impairment In Functioning ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Mental Acts

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions that are time-consuming or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning. Obsessions are recurrent and persistent intrusive, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause marked anxiety or distress. Examples of obsessions include worrying about germs, the feeling things need to be “just right,” worrying about bad things happening, and disturbing thoughts or images about hurting others. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. Examples of compulsions include washing, checking, tapping, ordering, and repeating. Young children may not be able to articulate the aims of these repetitive behaviors or mental acts. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line class of medications used to treat OCD in children and adolescents. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is the gold standard psychotherapy treatment for OCD.

scholarly journals Relapse of obsessive–compulsive disorder after cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a case report

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-29
Author(s):  
Vid Velikić ◽  
Andreas Wippel ◽  
Marion Freidl
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
Tricyclic Antidepressant ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Venous Sinus ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Venous Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Sagittal Sinus

SummaryObsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by repetitive, persistent and unwanted thoughts and ritualistic, repetitive behaviors. The pathophysiology of OCD involves many distinct cortical and subcortical regions and it has been reported that OCD may occur as a consequence of traumatic brain injury, infections and tumors as well as cerebrovascular insult such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). We here describe the case of a 36-year-old woman who developed OCD at the age of 13 with almost complete remission of the symptoms after a 1 year-long treatment. Interestingly, after suffering CVST at the superior sagittal sinus at the age of 33, she experienced a relapse of OCD. The patient was successfully treated with Sertraline and Clomipramine. Previous studies revealed cases of OCD following different cerebrovascular accidents, i.e. predominantly arterial stroke. However, the present case is the first to describe OCD after venous thrombosis. Based on our clinical experience, the most effective treatment of OCD after CVST represents the combination of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor Sertraline and the tricyclic antidepressant Clomipramine.

Differentiating Autism Spectrum Disorder and OCD

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Accordino ◽  
Philip Bartel ◽  
Isobel W. Green ◽  
Christen L. Kidd ◽  
Christopher J. McDougle
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Communicative Behavior ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Communication Difficulties ◽  
Social Communicative

This chapter explores the overlapping clinical presentation and shared genetics and neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). ASD often presents with repetitive behaviors reminiscent of OCD, whereas OCD, at times, can include autistic traits involving social and communication difficulties. This can lead to difficult diagnostic distinctions, which can at times have relevance to treatment. The distinction between compulsions and autistic stereotypies merits particular discussion. Clinical features that should lead to exploration of a diagnosis of ASD include stereotypies such as hand flapping, body rocking or twirling; fixed interests or preoccupations that are ego-syntonic; and impaired social-communicative behavior.

scholarly journals An Atypical Presentation of Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Responding to Plasmapheresis Treatment

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew H. Barzman ◽  
Hannah Jackson ◽  
Umesh Singh ◽  
Marcus Griffey ◽  
Michael Sorter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Abrupt Onset ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Acute Infections ◽  
The Family ◽  
Work Up ◽  
Severe Anxiety ◽  
Very High

Here we report a case of a 15-year-old female who had originally been diagnosed and treated unsuccessfully for schizophrenia, psychosis, severe anxiety, and depression. More in-depth history revealed an abrupt onset of her symptoms with remote acute infections and many exhibited characteristics of obsessive compulsive disorder with rituals. Work-up for underlying infectious, immunodeficiency, and autoimmune causes was unrevealing except for very high levels of anti-neuronal antibodies which have been linked to Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Treatment options were discussed with the family and it was decided to use a course of plasmapheresis based on previous studies demonstrating efficacy and its safety profile. After course of therapy, there was a dramatic resolution of her psychosis, OCD traits, and anxiety. She was able to stop all of her antipsychotic and anxiety medications and resume many of her previous normal daily activities. The effect of this treatment has been sustained to the present time. This case emphasizes the importance of exploring nontraditional treatments for severe, treatment-resistant mental illness which requires a multidisciplinary approach. Further research is warranted in larger populations to investigate pathomechanisms and treatment of PANs/PANDAs.

scholarly journals Central norepinephrine transmission is required for stress-induced repetitive behavior in two rodent models of obsessive-compulsive disorder

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Lustberg ◽  
Alexa Iannitelli ◽  
Rachel P. Tillage ◽  
Molly Pruitt ◽  
L. Cameron Liles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Repetitive Behavior ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
General Anxiety ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Adrenergic Drugs ◽  
Compulsive Behaviors

AbstractRationaleObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by repetitive behaviors exacerbated by stress. Many OCD patients do not respond to available pharmacotherapies, but neurosurgical ablation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) can provide symptomatic relief. Although the ACC receives noradrenergic innervation and expresses adrenergic receptors (ARs), the involvement of norepinephrine (NE) in OCD has not been investigated.ObjectiveTo determine the effects of genetic or pharmacological disruption of NE neurotransmission on marble burying (MB) and nestlet shredding (NS) in two animal models of OCD.MethodsWe assessed NE-deficient (Dbh -/-) mice and NE-competent (Dbh +/-) controls in MB and NS tasks. We also measured the effects of anti-adrenergic drugs on NS and MB in control mice and the effects of pharmacological restoration of central NE in Dbh -/- mice. Finally, we compared c-fos induction in the locus coeruleus (LC) and ACC of Dbh -/- and control mice following both tasks.ResultsDbh -/- mice virtually lacked MB and NS behaviors seen in control mice but did not differ in the elevated zero maze (EZM) model of general anxiety-like behavior. Pharmacological restoration of central NE synthesis in Dbh -/- mice completely rescued NS behavior, while NS and MB were suppressed in control mice by anti-adrenergic drugs. Expression of c-fos in the ACC was attenuated in Dbh -/- mice after MB and NS.ConclusionThese findings support a role for NE transmission to the ACC in the expression of stress-induced compulsive behaviors and suggest further evaluation of anti-adrenergic drugs for OCD is warranted.

scholarly journals Adversity, Uncertainty and Elevated Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A New Understanding through Resiliency and Positive Psychotherapy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevgi Güney
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Positive Psychotherapy ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Severe Anxiety ◽  
Anxiety And Fear

The content of thought, which emerges from the processing of information from the social context lived, is a critical factor that guides whether the behavior is psychopathological or not. In cases where worry, anxiety and fear are dominant in the content of thought, the individual may find himself in some psychopathological processes. Adversity and uncertainty are the main factors that lead to the experience of worry, anxiety and fear which is the last point of these. Uncertainty of information from the social context lived, when matched with adversity, may lead to chaotic situations at the cognitive level, e.g., thought contents such as distortions in thought, severe anxiety and fear. Obsessive compulsive disorder derives from severe worry and anxiety. Although the disorder is classified under anxiety disorders, it is actually a thought distortion disorder. The individual finds himself repeating the strange behavior patterns accompanied by strange thought contents in order to get rid of the severe anxiety and accelerated thought cycle he is exposed to. Ambiguity and uncertainty also may lead to the accelerated thought cycle, ruminations, severe thought distortions, over-generalizations. Ruminations, especially, impair the individual’s ability to think and process emotions gradually. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder will be discussed in terms of ambiguity and uncertainty with the combination of adversity. Positive Psychotherapy, which is one of the latest effective technique in recovery processes of the diseases, will be mentioned.

Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A. Storch ◽  
Omar Rahman ◽  
Mirela A. Aldea ◽  
Jeannette M. Reid ◽  
Danielle Bodzin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Augmentation Strategies ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

This chapter reviews the literature on obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders (i.e., obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania, Tourette syndrome, and varied body-focused repetitive behaviors) in children and adolescents. For each disorder, data on phenomenology, associated clinical characteristics, etiology, and treatment are reviewed. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future research and clinical directions, such as novel augmentation strategies, diagnostic classification of obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders, and methods of maximizing treatment outcome.

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