OCD, Anxiety, and Serotonin

Terminology: OCD = Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The word “Disorder” can be a powerful negative suggestion for the sufferer of this condition, and may cause the person to obsess about having OCD. For this reason the author uses the terminology “Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour”, to emphasise that the condition can be corrected.

Obsession = CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT

Compulsion = HAVE TO DO IT

Obsessive compulsive behaviour is characterised by the experience of uncontrollable and intrusive thoughts which are disturbing and repetitive. In an attempt to dislodge the disturbing thought, the individual performs certain actions or tasks compulsively, repeatedly, and with a high level of intensity.

Compulsive behaviour may take on the appearance of rituals, since the number of repetitions and the thoroughness with which the task is performed has no practical value, but is performed as a way of liberating the person from his or her troubling thoughts. This behaviour is time-consuming and frustrating to the individual, and at best provides only momentary relief from the unpleasant thoughts.

Associated Behaviour

• Anxiety results from the stress of having to stay busy to avoid negative thinking
• Cigarette smoking is a frequent “self-medication” trait because of the immediate calming effect of tobacco smoke, but in the long term smoking aggravates anxiety because of the adrenaline that the body releases to metabolise the toxins from the cigarette.
• Low appetite due to anxiety causes insufficient nutrition, low blood sugar, and increased adrenaline, which then raises the anxiety level
• Insomnia results from high adrenaline levels

Obsessive compulsive individuals are usually highly intelligent, and if they learn to manage their condition, they are high achievers in life. One has only to Google, to find a list of “OCD Celebrities”, amongst whom are David Beckham, Priyanka Chopra, Leonardo Dicaprio, Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, and Donald Trump.

Hormonal Characteristics - Body Chemistry

Neurochemically, obsessive compulsive behaviour is characterised by dopaminergic hyperfunction in the prefrontal cortex, and serotonergic hypofunction in the basal ganglia.

In simple English: dopamine, the hormone that makes you feel rewarded for getting something right, like winning or succeeding at something, is in over-supply, and serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel peaceful and that all is well, is in short supply.

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