Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is considered an anxiety disorder. According to psychologists Padmal de Silva, a clinical psychologist at the University of London, and Stanley Rachman, of the University of British Columbia, obsessions are unwanted and persistent thoughts that are experienced passively. They "happen" to the person. Compulsions are repetitive illogical behaviors such as washing hands for hours to remove germs. Some types of OCD seem to involve sensory symptoms such as pulling hair, repetitive movements, nail biting or skin picking.
Causes of OCD
There are many possible causes of OCD. According to Bruce M. Hyman, Ph.D. and Cherry Pedrick, R.N., authors of "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder," genetics play a role since OCD runs in families and a person who is genetically predisposed may be more vulnerable to childhood trauma or stress. In addition, brain imaging studies indicate that people with OCD have abnormalities in several parts of the brain including the parts that process and sort sensory information and enable them to focus. De Silva and Rachman describe causation theories---including the view that obsessions and compulsions are symptoms of the unconscious mind, the product of faulty learning or a biochemical imbalance in the brain due to inadequate amounts of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Disorders Associated with OCD
Kidshealth.org reports that tic disorders often resemble OCD and that up to 50 percent of individuals with Tourette's syndrome also have OCD. The National Tourette Syndrome Association reports that this neurological disorder is defined by rapid, involuntary motor movements and vocal tics. People with Tourette's syndrome usually have a family history of Tourette's attention deficit disorder, OCD or other tic disorders. Tourette's has been described both as a form of OCD and as a related disorder. Leslie E. Packer, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who specializes in Tourette's syndrome. On her website, TouretteSyndrome.net, Dr. Packer states that people with Tourette's, and to a lesser extent OCD, experience sensations described as "urges" or "itches." She also reports that research indicates that a subgroup of children with these types of sensory symptoms sound very much as if they have sensory processing disorders.
Sensory Processing Disorders
Sensory processing disorders impact the brain's ability to organize information from the sense organs---such as the eyes, ears, skin and muscles--and use it to interact with the environment in a purposeful way. Symptoms may include sensitivities to stimuli such as touch, decreased coordination, visual perceptual deficits, distractibility and difficulties with organization. Individuals with sensory processing disorders often have anxiety because they find the world a threatening place--fearing movement, sudden noises and unexpected touch. They may compensate by avoiding uncomfortable sensory experiences; they seem rigid, avoid change and may find a repetitive activity such as playing with hair soothing because it is so predictable.
Musical Obsessions
Dr. Judith Rapoport author of "The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing" describes musical obsessions--the person hears the same senseless, repetitive tune in his mind. She reports that most images in obsessive-compulsive experiences are visual. However, medical journals have recorded rare cases of patients who sought help getting rid of tunes.
References
- Sensory Processing Disorder: Sensory Defensiveness
- Tourette Syndrome Plus: Sensory Processing and Other Disorders
- "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" Padmal de Silva and Stanley Rachman; 1998
- "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder"; Bruce M. Hyman, Ph.D. and Cherry Pedrick, R.N. 2009
- "The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing"; Judith L. Rapoport, M.D.; 1989
