Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
Hey guys!
I found some really interesting stuff on the internet regarding the anatomy of the brain and OCD.
Deep within the brain, there is a small portion of the basal ganglia (associated with learning, memory, and emotional responses) called the caudate nucleus. The caudate nucleus's job is to relay impulses of learning, memory, emotions, and decision making with other parts of the brain.
It has been theorized that the caudate nucleus may be dysfunctional in OCD patients. The caudate nucleus may inaccurately regulate the transmission of information regarding worrying events or ideas between the thalamus (consciousness and alertness) and the orbitofrontal cortex (decision making).
Imaging comparing the caudate nuclei of those with OCD and those without shows that the caudate nuclei of those with OCD contain more grey matter. Grey matter is slower and more inaccurate with nerve impulses than white matter.
I don't know about you guys, but this makes a lot of sense to me, a guy with OCD. So many times I find myself reacting fearfully to pointless intrusive thoughts, and wondering, why am I afraid of this even though I know I don't need to be, and why isn't my brain responding the right way? This explanation of the circuitry of the brain explains it to me pretty well.
I found some really interesting stuff on the internet regarding the anatomy of the brain and OCD.
Deep within the brain, there is a small portion of the basal ganglia (associated with learning, memory, and emotional responses) called the caudate nucleus. The caudate nucleus's job is to relay impulses of learning, memory, emotions, and decision making with other parts of the brain.
It has been theorized that the caudate nucleus may be dysfunctional in OCD patients. The caudate nucleus may inaccurately regulate the transmission of information regarding worrying events or ideas between the thalamus (consciousness and alertness) and the orbitofrontal cortex (decision making).
Imaging comparing the caudate nuclei of those with OCD and those without shows that the caudate nuclei of those with OCD contain more grey matter. Grey matter is slower and more inaccurate with nerve impulses than white matter.
I don't know about you guys, but this makes a lot of sense to me, a guy with OCD. So many times I find myself reacting fearfully to pointless intrusive thoughts, and wondering, why am I afraid of this even though I know I don't need to be, and why isn't my brain responding the right way? This explanation of the circuitry of the brain explains it to me pretty well.
It just goes to show that OCD, and all of the other mental illnesses out there is a health problem, just like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, chronic migraines, etc. It should be treated like it, too.
She told me to actually talk to my brain when I am having an episode:
"I do not agree with the feelings you {you being my brain} are sending me, and I am NOT going to react. You need to make the adjustments, not me."