How does OCD affect the brain?
By Grace Stary
What is OCD?
What is OCD?
start video at 52 seconds
How is the brain affected?
Ocd affects the brain by causing communication problems within the brain, reducing gray matter in parts of the brain and decreasing serotonin levels.
Thesis
Causes communication problems in the brain
Reason 1
The brain needs to communicate in order to work properly and keep the body calm.In the article Are OCD brains different? written by Pratap Neuro, it states ''OCD disrupts contact between the frontal cortex and the ventral striatum, a region of the brain. OCD deceives the brain into believing that compulsions and habits, rather than a logical approach, can fix troublesome obsessive thoughts.'' (1).
Why does this matter?
- The brain thinks that it needs to rely on the compulsions to relax the brain rather than thinking through and fixing problems logically.
Explanation
Reduces gray matter in parts of the brain
Reason 2
By reducing gray matter in the brain, people with OCD have a harder time comtrolling their impulses that help them relax. ''The amount of grey matter in the medial frontal gyrus, medial orbitofrontal cortex, operculum, and orbitofrontal regions of the brain is reduced in obsessive-compulsive disorder.'' (1).
Why does it matter?
- Cause the impulses to get bigger or to be more severe
Explanation
Decreases serotonin levels
Reason 3
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps people feel calm, but when somebody has low serotonin levels, it makes people feel on edge, or have higher levels of anxiety. ''if one serotonin level is affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder, he/she can feel constantly on edge and unable to relax.'' (1).
Why does this matter?
- Not being able to control impulses
- Create a sense of deeper anxiety
Explanation
What is the importance?
- Very common
- Know what to do
- Be able to help
Takeaway
Copy and paste links to sources used
https://patnaneuroandchildpsychiatry.in/are-ocd-brains-different/
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4476073/
https://vistapineshealth.com/services/ocd/affects-brain/
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/