Posted by linkadge on June 24, 2004, at 8:57:11
In reply to linkadge: have a question for you, posted by tampagirl70 on June 24, 2004, at 8:36:16
Generally OCD is an attention problem. People with OCD tend to become overfocused on certain issues. They seem very obstanant, unable to back up and let go.
Dopamine is a chemical highly involved in concentration, and motivation. Stimulants like ritalin and caffiene increase dopamine, and hence concentration. When taken in *excess* they tend to make people very obsessive, repeating the same things over and over. It is thought that in certain areas of the OCD brain, dopamine levels are in excess. Here is where serotonin comes in.
Serotonin and dopamine work in kind of a ying/yang system. Raising dopamine lowers serotonin and vice versa. Serotonin is referred to as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Boosting serotonin facilitates inhibition, by lowering dopamine, and decreasing repetitive, overfocused behaviors. A properly working serotonin system allows one to pull back out of a situation, and see the whole picture.
It is most likely a little more complex than this, but this is the general idea.
This is also why antipsychotics have some utility in OCD, because the block dopamine receptors, and reduce that overactive dopamine drive.
As far as poop out goes, you may be luckier. Surprisingly (from what I've heard) OCD medications poop out less for OCD symptoms then they do for depression. The reason for this is also unclear.
Hope this helps a little.
Linkadge (not a doctor)
poster:linkadge
thread:359726
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040621/msgs/359733.html