University of Michigan Depression Center

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

"OCD affects between 1 and 3-percent of the world's population, which makes it more common than schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or panic disorder..." Gregory Hanna, M.D.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent thoughts known as " " and ritualistic behaviors or " " that are distressing and difficult to control. People with OCD often recognize that obsessions and compulsions do not make sense, but are unable to stop them from happening. Obsessions and compulsions may take hours out of each day, and are usually associated with marked anxiety. Recent research has shown OCD to be a common psychiatric disease, occurring in approximately 1 of every 30 people. Because OCD usually has its onset in childhood, it can lead to a lifetime of disability if left untreated.

While OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder, it commonly occurs with depression. Of the approximately 6 million Americans with OCD, up to 70% will experience depression at some point during their lifetimes. Whether the burden of having OCD predisposes to depression, or whether the disorders share common neurobiologic factors is unclear at this time. Fortunately, the best known treatments for OCD- and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - are also often effective in treating depression.

However, even state-of-the art treatments such as SRIs and CBT do not work for everyone with OCD. Thus, researchers at the University of Michigan are actively studying OCD in order to understand its causes and, ultimately, improve its treatment. Research in pediatric OCD at the University of Michigan suggests the early-onset form of the illness to be highly associated with genetic factors. This finding makes the screening of family members - especially siblings of children with OCD - an important part of diagnosis. With early diagnosis and early treatment, it is possible that OCD may be better controlled and less likely contribute to depression later in life.

Ongoing research in OCD includes:

• Study of a gene that regulates serotonin (the chemical affected by SRIs) in families with OCD. (G. Hanna)

• Function magnetic resonance imaging of patients with OCD to explore brain regions that are involved in the disease. (S. Taylor, G. Hanna)

• Psychosurgery for patient with treatment-refractory OCD (J. Abelson & R. Albucher)

The goal of such research is not only to increase scientific understanding of OCD, but to translate that understanding into better treatments for patients who suffer from the disease.