HEALTHY LIVING Fix Your. . . OCD
OVERVIEW: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness characterized by unwanted and uncontrollable recurring thoughts (obsessions) that cause repetitive behaviors (compulsions). OCD affects about 3% of the population, and symptoms usually start in the teen or young adult years.
WHY YOU HAVE OCD Genetics. Although specific genes
have yet to be identified, experts believe there is a family connection and risk is higher if you have a parent or sibling with OCD. Brain differences. Frontal
regions of the brain, including the orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, are overactive in people with OCD. Sex. OCD is more common in
women. Stress. Although stress doesn’t
cause OCD, it can make symptoms worse. OCD can emerge following traumatic events, such as a divorce. Child abuse. Physical or sexual
abuse as a child increases the risk for OCD.
SYMPTOMS Obsessions. People with OCD
have troubling thoughts or urges that occur again and again. They include worries and fears about loved ones getting hurt or dying, concerns about germs, and the desire for everything to be orderly or symmetrical.
Compulsions. Victims of OCD
are compelled to do physical or mental acts they don’t really want to do. They include doing chores in a specific order, needing to count things, cleaning rituals, and constantly checking ovens, locks, and alarm systems to make sure they are turned off — or on.
WHAT TO DO Try NAC. Several studies found
that OCD symptoms decreased significantly after taking the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in dosages of 2,000 mg to 3,000 mg daily. Some research shows that NAC may also help those with compulsive hair picking, called trichotillomania, or skin picking. Take vitamin B12. A meta-analysis
of studies published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that low levels of B12 increased OCD symptoms. Consider borage. One study
found that the herb borage (starflower) reduced symptoms of OCD after four to six weeks. Take milk thistle. While the herb milk thistle is traditionally
An Imbalance of Brain Chemicals Linked to OCD R
esearchers from University College
London and Cambridge University had suspected an imbalance between the neurotransmitters glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a cause of OCD. While glutamate promotes communication
between neurons, GABA reduces communication, calming the central nervous system and making us less inhibited. Researchers used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure the concentration of chemicals in the brain. They tested two regions, the anterior
92 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | DECEMBER 2024
cingulate cortex (ACC) and the supplementary motor area (SMA), since they are affected in OCD. Patients with OCD had increased levels of glutamate and lower levels of GABA in the ACC, resulting in the tendency to habitual behaviors associated with
used for gastrointestinal and liver problems, one study found that its benefits were comparable to the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) in treating OCD. Relax. Relaxing practices such as
meditation, yoga, and massage can help deal with OCD stress. Take magnesium. Low levels
of magnesium can cause mood swings, anxiety, depression, and — some experts believe — OCD.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS If your symptoms interfere with your daily life, see your doctor, who may conduct a physical exam and blood tests to make sure you aren’t having a different medical problem. You may be advised to undergo cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or be prescribed antidepressant drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil, to help control your obsessions and compulsions.
Sources: Mayo Clinic; National Institute of Mental Health; International OCD Foundation;
treatmyOCD.com;
impulsetherapy.com; WebMD
OCD. Patients also had an imbalance between the two chemicals in the SMA, which correlated with the severity of compulsive symptoms. The findings raise hopes for better treatments for OCD that focus on rebalancing the brain’s glutamate and GABA levels. The research was published in Nature Communications.
DMITRY KOVALCHUK©ISTOCK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
