The reason behind all obsessive thoughts

[kelden]

There's still a bit of debate on the absolute exact section of the brain which causes the OCD, however, scientists have recently discovered that it probably has something to do with the immune system. What is almost universally agreed in is there's a part of your brain which controls the flight-or-fight response which is misfiring. Instead of warning you about an impending lion attack or a noise in the dark, your brain has incorrectly attached this primal level of anxiety to a particular thought or question. What do you think, discuss!

 

[clair02]

I have always thought that the front part of the brain is responsible for OCD. I've always believed that the unpleasant, repetitive thoughts and feelings that you get with OCD were due to communication problems among the brain cells in this area.

 

[Laneorexorcist]

This is so cool, and it actually makes a lot of sense. I'm glad that we have more information now about the organically explanation behind mental health issues, or at least it's almost calming for me. And by the way, do you know if there's a medication for OCD? I haven't heard anything about medication for this specific disorder, and if there's no medication for this out there, this can be a big step to start treating it medically. 

 

[Alex]

Sometimes I wonder if OCD is borne out of fear or paranoia when people have too much time to think or feel responsible for things that they can't always control? I double check things and there are certain things I like done a certain way, but I have learned sometimes you have to let it go when it doesn't go your way. Having a panic attack won't change things, but you can change how you choose to respond. Think along the lines of 'I prefer to have it done that way, but it's not the end of the world if it isn't on this occasion,' and then it feels less stressful.


I've found that OCD is a by product of trying to be perfect and even when something is,there is a fear that it still isn't.

 

[Ania]

My psychiatrist said my OCD is caused due a chemical imbalance in my brain.  I don't  know what to think, because ever since I was a little girl I had high levels of anxiety and stress, but maybe that's the result of me being sexually molested at age 6.  That incident did really change me... I still think I am not the person I was supposed to be because of that horrible incident. I think that incident triggered something in me, and all the awful things that have happened to me (being socially awkward, depressed, suffering from OCD and social anxiety) are a result of that. 


Many people in my family seem to have depression and anxiety issues.  My mother suffers from OCD herself,  she also happens to suffer from anxiety and mild depression.  So I suspect this actually runs in families?   I guess we will never know for sure. 

 

[Natasha0717]

I could definitely see how it involves the immune system.  Sometimes under extreme stress, I will notice my OCD gets worse, and I also break out in.. not hives exactly, but more like welts, or "wheels", they're called.  They just look like bigger hives.  The immune system and nervous system are very closely connected.  In fact, Deepak Chopra truly believes that the immune system and nervous system are, in fact, one system...and should have never been classified as two different systems.  He believes they are one in the same.  Very interesting theory.


Now, here's what I have always personally thought about what is actually behind OCD.  It surely stems from anxiety, but I also believe OCD is "used" more as a coping mechanism.  People with extreme anxiety will develop OCD and then the symptoms will flare up during stressful times, or during times when one doesn't want to think about something or face it.  Whenever my Grandma would be in the hospital and I was very concerned about her, I would clean the fish tanks once....then twice....and just in case I didn't do it "perfectly"...one more time.  I would check the stove and curling iron 4-5 times before leaving the house.  Oh, and the OCD night games as I like to call them, (the repetitive thoughts and things you do to keep yourself awake even though you want to sleep), those would always get worse during a traumatic event, like an illness or death in the family.  And even a little more worse afterwards.  As if I had some left-over anxiety or something. :mellow:   It just seems like focusing on the OCD repetitive actions forces you to not focus on the real thing that is scaring or troubling you, or the real thing that just did scare or trouble you.  But that's just my take on it, from observing my own symptoms. My OCD always comes out to play during stressful times, and also when I'm a little bored.

 

[Rosyrain]

My husband has OCD and I have general anxiety, so you could just imagine what kind of couple we are...lol. I do not have OCD, but have learned how to help him manage it and understand it as a whole. He can't handle it when things are crooked and literally eats the same exact thing for lunch everyday. It is hard for him to break from his routines and it drives me up a wall sometimes because I like a little variety. I have learned to introduce new things to him in baby steps and most of the time he finally comes around.

 

[He Man]

Sometimes I wonder if OCD is borne out of fear or paranoia when people have too much time to think or feel responsible for things that they can't always control?

Hi.. I don't believe OCD originates from too much idle time. But I definitely think it makes it worse.. I have a daughter with OCD, and engaging in healthy distractions (like exercise & art) help keep her obsessive worries at bay.
I'd love to hear if other folks w/OCD have some healthy distractions that have worked for them (?) I know distractions are kind of a band-aid, but I could use some new ideas..

 

[Doug97]

That's really interesting that they've found evidence that OCD could be linked to the immune system. The immune system is so complicated powerful, they're finding that it has effects on so many things in the body, including the brain.

The Role of Inflammation in Depression and Fatigue

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