Outline And Evaluate The Explanation Of The Causes Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Introduction:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the mental illness which leads to the development of recurrent and disturbing thoughts and behaviour. This study is going to analyse and evaluate the possible causes of OCD by using proper evidence and theories.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is the anxiety disorder in which individual experiences intrusive and persistent thoughts that occur as a compulsion, obsession and combination of both (Abramovitch et al. 2019). In this condition, people have unwanted and recurrent thoughts and ideas which is called obsession. Driven by these thoughts people do things in a repeated manner, which is known as a compulsion. Based on the psychological research, OCD is the mental illness in which a person performs some specific work in a repeated manner or they have certain thoughts repeatedly. The example compulsion is hand washing, cleaning things and checking something carefully. On the other hand, sometimes obsession leads to repetition of actions which is referred as compulsive behaviour, For example, obsession with contamination such as fear of germ, dirt and chemicals leads to repeated washing of hands. Although actual causes of OCD are unknown several factors have been identified through researches as the potential causative agent of this illness. These are genetic, biological, social and environmental factors

The following are the most common type of obsession: Fear of germs, dirt and illness, unwanted activities of aggression and recurrent activities for causing harm such as responsible for fire are the example. Common examples of compulsion are recurrent hand washing, counting and repeating routine activities such as go in or out of the door, collecting different useless items, checking, ordering and rearranging rituals and recurrent use or recitation of the non-sense word (Burton et al. 2020).

Common sign and symptoms of obsession and compulsion are as follows:

Common obsession symptoms are fear of contamination of germs, dirt and other harmful agents, easily oozing control, and harming others, sexually violent thoughts and images, excessive focus on maintaining ritual, morals and ethical values, the tendency of being the best and the tendency of being the perfect (dayan-Riva et al. 2020)

Common symptoms of compulsion are repeated checking of different things such as switches, locks and appliances, repeating certain words, counting constantly and performing meaningless things to reduce their anxiety, repeatedly washing clothes and hands and recurrently arranging things (Gruner and Pittenger, 2017)

There are different causes are associated with occurring of the OCD such as biological, genetic, cognitive and environmental.

Biological:

Several researchers have shown that there is a strong relationship between brain functioning and the development of OCD (Hallionet al. 2019). Brain is the most complex organ which controls the movements and activities of different body parts. Recent researchers have shown that a patient with OCD has been reported to develop abnormal functioning of brain cells, which not only affect their body parts but also their mind. According to Hirschtritt et al. (2017), occurring of OCD can be associated with the Serotonin level in the brain cells which is responsible for maintaining the connection between mind and body. Serotonin is the chemical and neurotransmitter that is found in brain cells, blood platelets and bowel. It is believed that Serotonin plays important roles in regulating social behaviour, mood, cognitive behaviour, sleep, appetite and digestion. Serotonin transfers messages from one nerve cell to the other, thus bringing the signals from brain cells to body cells, which assist the body to make proper movement and response. If Serotonin secretion is reduced into the nerve cells, it affects adversely on maintaining the proper balance between the body and mind. According to Madrid et al. (2018), Serotonin level while reduced into blood cells leads to incorrect social behaviour, thoughts and memory loss which can be one of the most important reasons behind occurring obsessive behaviour and compulsive activities.

On supporting this viewpoint several psychologists have stated that serotonin level in a patient with OCD is highly reduced which makes them unable to maintain strong communication between their body and mind. This can be the reason behind recurrent and disturbing thoughts in OCD patient. It has been shown in an OCD case study, in which the patient with OCD is exposed to Serotonin injection (McNally et al. 2017). In this case study, it can be seen that the patient with OCD gives a positive response to the medicine containing serotonin, which improves their activities and thoughts. Although there are several supporting research studies towards the biological reason behind the development of OCD in patients, there are also some criticisms. Firstly, the traditional viewpoint of healthcare believes that as OCD is a mental and cognitive illness, it is strictly associated with the psychological performance of mind rather than associated with brain functioning. Secondly, several case studies of OCD patients have shown an apparent presence of mental disturbances and psychological disorders in the patient suffering from OCD. Today’s mental health practitioner applies different theories in terms of describing the reason behind the development of OCD (Miguel et al. 2019). Social Cognitive Theory has prioritised the mind related aspects rather than the brain in case of determining the reason for OCD. On the contrary Qian et al. (2018), Behavioural Theory highlights the facts that all behaviours that are represented by individuals are learned through their interaction with the external environment. Through using this theory, several mental health practitioners believe that, although some biological factors are seemed to be associated with OCD, the behavioural disturbances, repetitive thoughts and recurrent actions can be developed due to poor connection of people with their external environment. On supporting this viewpoint, several studies have stated that people who have poor support from their society due to less interaction with the external environment are highly prevalent to the OCD, as they are unable to learn positive and systematic behaviour from their external environment. On the contrary, Aardema and Wong (2019) argued that based on behaviourist viewpoint it can be stated that marginalised and discriminated people have the highest tendency of developing OCD, which is not true. In addition to this, the author also stated that sometimes people who have strong interaction which society and the external world from their childhood have developed symptoms of OCD. On the contrary Murray et al. (2019) argued that although behavioural expression is the result of the interaction of body and mind, sometimes only mental illness or only brain dysfunctions is associated with generating disturbed behavioural expression. Therefore, from the discussion, it can be stated that the biological reason for developing OCD has several supportive statement and criticism. Although there are some arguments regarding the biological connection of OD, it can be stated from several research studies that, poor functioning of Brain and lower level of Serotonin in is strongly associated with poor behavioural expressional and mental illness which can be the sign of development of OCD in individuals.

Genetic:

Genetic mutation is the major cause of several behavioural and mental illness (Miguel et al. 2019). A patient suffering from OCD can have a mutation in any genetic sequence that alters the behaviour, thoughts and feeling in the sufferer. Recent research on OCD has considered the genetic variation as an important cause of recurrent and disturbing behavioural expression in individuals. According to Murray et al. (2019), genes are responsible for expressing the physical and behavioural characteristics in human being. If there is any alteration in the gene sequence on the DNA strand, it leads to major changes in human behaviour, mental condition and activities. Although the brain is associated with controlling the overall activities of the entire body, the gene is the potential components that can change the brain functioning by causing mutation in the DNA of neurons. Based on this statement, several psychologists have stated that OCD that is caused due to poor brain functioning and improper flow of serotonin in from the brain cells, can also be associated with a genetic mutation which alters the functioning of the neurons.In this context, several scientists have mentioned that through gene mapping it is possible to determine the connection of OCD and gene. Gene mapping is the process of determining the exact position of a gene on chromosome and the gaps between two genes (Noh et al. 2017). Several mental health practitioners have supported the gene mapping as it makes them able to use molecular markers to determine if there is any mutation or changes in gene sequence which can lead to development OCD. According to Fernandez et al. (2018), genetic studies of OCD have stated that there are specific genes that when carried by individuals lead to the development of OCD. It is believed by several scientists that, SERT gene which is also known as 5-HTT gene which is associated with reduced flow and transport of Serotonin through the nerve cells. Serotonin is important for regulating the social behaviour, mood, thoughts, decisions and memories of individuals. In this context, several studies have stated that individual carrying the SERT gene has a high tendency to be affected by OCD. In this aspect, TWIN study can be mentioned, which compares the identical twins (MZ) with non-identical twins (DZ). Based on this study, MZ twins generally have 100% similarities in genetic contents because they are developed from the single egg which is fertilised by single sperm (Krebs et al. 2019). On the other hand, DZ twins have only 50% genetic similarity as they developed from fertilisation of separate sperm and separate egg. While the rates of occurring OCD in MZ twins are compared with DZ twins, it is seen that chances of developing OCD in MZ twins is higher than that of DZ twins. Based on this viewpoint, many mental health practitioners' genes are responsible for transferring OCD from parent to the offspring. Based on the behavioural theory, several research studies have stated that, although genes are associated with setting human behavioural expression, in most of the cases of OCD patient does not show any kind of genetic mutation. Traditional healthcare system considers the behavioural and psychological changes in human being as the result of poor environmental and social support, rather than considering the genetic and biological intervention. On supporting this viewpoint Hirschtritt et al. (2017) stated that there are several case studies in which patient with gene mutation does not have any symptoms of OCD or behavioural disturbances. In which context, several mental health practitioners have stated that genetic mutation although is associated with altering brain functioning and setting new behaviour and characterises in human being, it may not be responsible for developing recurrent and disturbing behaviour and activities in patients which is the main symptoms of OCD.On the contrary Noh et al.(2017)argued that there are some studies which are supportive of the fact that genes are associated with OCD, such as TWIN studies and Gene Mapping studies. Have represented the fact that there is the relation between gene and OCD, in which people who inherit genes that are involved in brain functioning and behaviour formation, any modifications or changes in that gene can lead to the development of OCD. However, it can be stated that genetic mutation can become one of the causes of OCD as the mutation of any gene can lead to major changes in the behavioural and physical characteristics.

Environmental:

The environment can be one of the causes of OCD in people who are resides in the unhygienic condition, poor housing culture bad low graded social standard (Miguel et al. 2019). Some environmental factors like polluted air, soil, water and foods can trigger the occurring of OCD. Several researchers have shown that there is a strong association with the poor environmental condition and physical and mental illness in people. For example, people residing in poor society are more prone towards OCD and mental retardation as compared to the people, residing in the high standard society. According to Álvarez et al. (2018), major important environmental factors are hygiene and pollution-free residence which is important for maintaining proper mental and physical health. Most of the times it can be seen that people residing in the poor village and unhygienic environmental condition are affected by different infections which not only impact on their biological functions but also impact on their mental as well as behavioural condition. On the contrary McNally et al. (2017) argued that although environmental factors are associated with affecting the behaviour and mental condition in human being, there is no proper evidence states that OCD is developed due to poor environmental condition. On supporting this viewpoint several psychologists have stated that many people in the UK suffering from OCD resides in the high-class society and strong hygienic environment. The Clinical study conducted on OCD patient has shown that people with the poor mental and behavioural condition sometimes do not have any changes in their activities and thoughts while transferring in the better and highly hygienic environmental condition. In this aspect, it can be stated that mental and behavioural disturbances in OCD can be associated with environmental factors bur this is not the sole reason behind causing of this disease. On the other hand Hirschtritt et al. (2017) argued that sometimes people residing in the high-class society have poor chances of infection and other contaminated diseases which can impact on the behaviour and human mind. On supporting this view, conventional healthcare practitioners have stated that although the environment may not be the sole cause behind OCD, it can have a potential impact on the physical and mental health of people. For example, people residing in the clean and fresh air are directed to develop fresh thoughts and innovative ideas which reduce the chances of developing recurrent and meaningless thoughts. On the other hand, proper sanitation, hygiene surroundings, freshwater and foods assist people to have proper brain development and strong connection n between mind and body which is important for reducing the risk of developing OCD.

Social:

Social factors are also considered by physicians while dealing with OCD patients (Abramovitch et al. 2019). Researchers have shown that social factors such as social relationship, social support, interaction with neighbours and friends, involvement in social ritual, discrimination and racism pose an important impact on the human mind. As stated by Álvarez et al. (2018), people who are neglected and discriminated in society are highly prone to the development of OCD. Researchers have stated that people who receive poor support from their society and recurrent humiliations from their neighbours and friend can develop disturbing behavioural and poorly arranges thoughts, which leads to the development of OCD. In this context, psychologists have applied. The social cognitive theory highlights the connection between the mind and body (Mısır et al. 2018). Based on this theoretical concept, several health practitioners have stated that mental condition and thoughts of people are results of their interaction with their society as well as the external environment. From several studies it can be stated that people who have poor interaction with their society or poor support from their neighbours can face difficulties in expressing their emotions, preference and feelings which affect on the decision-making process, thereby leading to the development of OCD. For example, it is seen that patient suffering from OCD has the previous history of social unsupportiveness, humiliation and discrimination. On the contrary Burton et al.(2020) argued that, although society is associated with impacting ion human mind and thoughts, it does not have any influence on the biological function and neurological system of individuals which can be considered as the main cause of OCD. On supporting this viewpoint several traditional psychologists stated that, in many cases of social discrimination and racism, it can be seen that people who face all, this social incident is nit affected by OCD.

Conclusion:

From the overall discussion it can be concluded that, although there are some studies such as gene mapping, TWIN studies and PET scan which emphasize on the fact that there is a strong connection between the gene and the development of OCD, there are much criticisms regarding concepts. Although are evidence that separately report different reasons such as biological, genetic, environmental and social, it is not possible to interfere with the main cause behind this mental illness. In this context, it can be concluded that, whatever the reason is, OCD is a mental condition which not only impacts on the human mind by generating poor thoughts but also affect the normal activities of people.

Reference list:

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