OCD

Adrian Monk is known to solve murders but is also known for his Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This is a person “is plagues by recurrent and persistent thoughts or ideas that serve to increase anxiety and that have no basis in reality.” Most commonly, a person will have come sort of fear or concern dealing with dirt/germs or a need for exactness. Then a person may need to repeatedly do actions over and over again to make sure that they did it right. This may include things like excessive hand washing and repeatedly checking the door to make sure it is locked before being able to leave your house. Dr. Kelda Walsh, a child psychiatrist at IU School of Medicine, has said that OCD is simply a malfunction in a pathway between different areas in the brain causes them to not work together correctly. Basically a chemical imbalance cause something to short-circuit information processing which will then cause a sort of “mental hiccup.” And so then thoughts or actions are repeated. Genetics may also be a part I the development of OCD. Stress may also sometimes trigger OCD and can cause the disorder to become worse. Treatment for OCD includes both medication and behavior therapy. Antidepressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) enhance the brain’s ability to use the chemical messenger serotonin, which is then thought to help regulate the repetitive behaviors that are exhibited as well as treat the depression that can occur.

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=446094311&sid=2&Fmt=3&clientId=14507&RQT=309&VName=PQD