Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a mental health condition that causes repetitive behavior. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a physical disorder that affects your intestinal system. Although symptoms of IBS and OCD vary greatly, the two diseases have a high level of co-morbidity -- patients diagnosed with OCD often suffer from IBS as well, and vice versa. Researchers are trying to understand the link between the two diseases.
OCD Basics
If you suffer from OCD, you might have the same thoughts repeating in your mind over and over again. You might perform rituals, such as washing your hands or counting certain items in an attempt to drown out those thoughts. The condition typically strikes by age 30 and often occurs after a patient has suffered a brain injury or an infection. Some evidence suggests that OCD can even change how your brain functions. Physicians treat OCD with a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
IBS Basics
The symptoms of IBS are more physical. You might experience bloating, diarrhea, nausea, constipation or stomach pain. It is unknown what causes IBS, but researchers suspect it might involve having a sensitive colon that reacts to certain foods or stress. It might also involve your immune system, which is responsible for fighting infection. You can control the condition with dietary changes and medication.
Co-Morbidity
About 35 percent of patients diagnosed with OCD also suffer from IBS, according to a study published in the January 2006 issue of "CNS Spectrums." Seventy to 90 percent of IBS patients have a concurrent psychological disorder, according to that same study, which was conducted by Duke University researchers. Researchers do not know why the connection exists, but Duke University researchers hypothesize that it relates to the presence of 5-hydroxytryptamine, a neurotransmitter common to both illnesses. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit brain signals.
SSRIs
The Duke researchers suggest that doctors take the connection between IBS and OCD into account when prescribing medication to their patients. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, a type of medication that affects the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, are prescribed to treat OCD symptoms. SSRIs have several side effects, including nausea and diarrhea, which can exacerbate IBS symptoms. If you have OCD or IBS, be certain to report all of your symptoms to your doctor, not just those associated with your disease.
