Out, Damned spot

New research suggests that obsessive-compulsive disorder could be a genetic disease

If lady macbeth had had children, chances are that they, too, might have developed obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD. Studies carried out by the University of Michigan and the University of Toronto suggest that OCD could be a genetic disease. The study found relatives of people suffering from OCD nine times more likely to develop the disease as compared to those who were not related to people with OCD.

New research carried out at the Vanderbilt University also found that people with OCD show stronger 8220;disgust sensitivity8221; levels. The study, that was published in the journal Behaviour Research and Therapy says that people who suffer from OCD are more likely to be irritable and disgusted by small issues. They are also more likely to show signs of aggression.

So, what is OCD? It is a psychological disorder in which an individual has compulsive obsessions, and its most famous instance in literature is, of course, Lady Macbeth.

These obsessions are repetitive thoughts, images or impulses, which lead to dysfunction and interfere with the day-to-day life of the individual.

Symptoms of OCD range from checking drawers and door locks many times to make sure they are closed, saving mail and other paperwork when they are no longer needed, seeking constant reassurance and approval, counting to a certain number again and again and arranging items in a certain way many times, washing hands, showering, or brushing teeth over and over again, among others.

People suffering from OCD also tend to go into depression and isolation. 8220;This is the most common defense mechanism seen amongst people who suffer from this disease,8221; says Dr Sameer Malhotra, senior consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist at Fortis Hospital, Delhi.

Treatment is very essential, as the disease may get worse with time. OCD can lead to panic attacks, depression, various kinds of phobias and also anorexia. There are two types of treatment. 8220;One is a drug therapy and the other Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,8221; says Dr Malhotra. In drug therapy, the patient is given a boost of drugs to increase the levels of serotonin 8212; a chemical messenger in the brain.

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In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. a patient is exposed to his or her obsessional fear and then made to delay the compulsive response. For instance, doctors make a person touch dirt and then do not allow him to wash his hands for a while. Over a period of time, the person learns to handle the anxiety.