The commonly accepted pathophysiology of OCD involves low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin with high levels of dopamine.
Studies have shown that women with OCD are likely to have abnormal hormone levels and that these hormones play a role in triggering or worsening the condition.
The evidence suggests estradiol increases serotonin signaling through an upregulation of serotonin receptors and downregulation of autoreceptors which is hypothesized to improve OCD symptoms.
Intrusive thoughts are often triggered by stress or anxiety. They may also be a short-term problem brought on by biological factors, such as hormone shifts.
Is OCD Caused by a Chemical Imbalance? Changes in the neurochemical serotonin, as well as in the neurochemicals dopamine and glutamate, are likely present in OCD. Indeed, medications like the antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) improve symptoms for many people.
Combined this evidence suggests that OCD may be associated with both increased and decreased dopamine signaling, or that a unidirectional model may not be adequate.
Preclinical, neuroimaging and neurochemical studies have provided evidence demonstrating that the dopaminergic system is involved in inducing or aggravating the symptoms that are indicative of OCD.
Estrogen plays a role in augmenting feelings of anxiety, so high levels of estrogen can increase or lead to the development of OCD symptoms. Conversely, progesterone tends to inhibit anxiety, so a deficiency in that might lead to similar effects on OCD symptomatology.
Dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin. You can boost levels of these hormones with some simple lifestyle changes, like diet, exercise, and meditation, and possibly improve your mood in the process.
“There are parts of the brain that are a bit disrupted, like the frontal cortex, in terms of brain function and we know that serotonin can reduce the intrusive thoughts,” Dozois says.
If your OCD symptoms flare up during your premenstrual phase or period, remind yourself that it's likely due to low levels of estrogen. Understanding why symptoms intensify at times can help you dole out more self-compassion, which can ease your stress about it.
Obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is an anxiety disorder which, like many anxiety disorders, is marked by low levels of serotonin. Serotonin, a type of neurotransmitter, has a variety of functions that make a deficiency a serious and anxiety producing issue.
Glutamate is the principal neurotransmitter implicated in the CSTC model of OCD.
Ongoing anxiety or stress, or being part of a stressful event like a car accident or starting a new job, could trigger OCD or make it worse. Pregnancy or giving birth can sometimes trigger perinatal OCD.
I find this so fascinating: Cortisol is a chemical in your brain that tends to flow more freely and spurs negative thoughts. Your brain loves cortisol.
Cognitive impairment subjects exhibit high cortisol levels that are associated with low brain activity, but negative emotions with high cortisol are associated with high brain activity and reduced cognition.
I typically recommend magnesium glycinate, although most forms of Mg are helpful—except for magnesium oxide, which is poorly absorbed. Improvement in symptoms once beginning Mg supplementation can take many months.
Habit reversal training (HRT) is an evidence-based behavioral therapy for OCD patients of any age. HRT is a highly effective approach for people with unwanted repetitive behaviors, such as nail-biting, skin picking, hair pulling, to name a few.
Be sure to get your iron levels checked with a ferritin blood test. Levels between 50 and 100 ng/mL are ideal. Levels below 50 ng/mL can cause problems that exacerbate OCD symptoms.
Chemical Imbalance Factors Associated With OCD
Individuals with OCD often have certain chemical imbalances present in the brain. Changes in the neurochemicals serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate are normally present in OCD cases.
Functional imaging studies have reported with remarkable consistency hyperactivity in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and caudate nucleus of patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
These obsessions and compulsions can range in severity, but what causes OCD to get worse over time is not properly managing the condition earlier on. Stress, trauma, avoidance, or even something as seemingly innocuous as a change in routine can all contribute to the worsening of OCD.
Problems with anger, low self-esteem, anxiety, forgetfulness, impulsiveness and lack of organizational skill (symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Social withdrawal, reduced emotions, don't feel pleasure (negative symptoms of schizophrenia). Gastrointestinal symptoms, including chronic constipation.
Here, using an OCD animal model, we reveal that dopamine neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) control the repetitive behavior via a dual gating mechanism from striatal and cortical projections. Our results suggest potential new targets in both pharmacological and brain-stimulation treatments for OCD.