Jana Mettwali

English 2100

proof Zayas

march 17, 2025

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder of cleanliness, commonly referred to as Obsess

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a mental disorder characterized by intrusive, recurring thoughts (obsessions), which cause the individual to excessively perform compulsive behaviors. One of the most common types of OCD is cleanliness-related OCD, where the individual has an excessive fear about germs and contamination, causing excessively washing their hands, constant cleaning objects, or avoiding places that are considered dirty. This research aims to analyze the neurological and psychological causes of cleanliness-related OCD, its quality-of-life impacts, and the most current treatments available.

Millions of individuals all over the world are affected by cleanliness-related OCD, which negatively affects daily life and interpersonal relationships. Understanding the neurological and psychological mechanisms underlying the disorder could lead to the development of more effective treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medications such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). New therapies, such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), could be alternatives for those who do not respond to the standard treatments. This work could also help reduce the stigmatization of OCD, which would encourage affected individuals to seek proper treatments and care.

Research has shown that OCD has been associated with hyperactivity in the striatum, anterior cingulate cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex, the brain areas that deal with decision-making and repetitive behaviors. Furthermore, an imbalance in the neurotransmitters serotonin also plays a role in the severity of the symptoms. According to research, those with cleanliness-related OCD suffer from excessive anxiety and an illogical fear of contamination, which causes compulsive acts despite their knowledge that the acts are illogical.

In addition to the progress that has been made in understanding OCD, many issues remain unresolved. For instance, are the brain differences found in those with OCD the cause or the result of the disorder? Do different treatments alter brain function in those with cleanliness type OCD, and are new treatments possible that target the brain areas affected more specifically? Answering these questions could lead to better diagnosis and treatment, providing those affected with more control over their symptoms and a higher quality of life.

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Sources

1. Fineberg, N. A., Reghunandanan, S., Brown, A., & Pampaloni, I. (2013). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: The role of neuroimaging in diagnosis and treatment. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(10), 2256-2272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.02.014

2. Stein, D. J., Costa, D. L. C., Lochner, C., et al. (2019). Obsessive–compulsive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 5(1), Article 52. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0102-3

3. Pauls, D. L., Abramovitch, A., Rauch, S. L., & Geller, D. A. (2014). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: An integrative genetic and neurobiological perspective. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(6), 410-424. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3746

Abramowitz, J. S., Taylor, S., & McKay, D. (2009). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. The Lancet, 374(9688), 491-499. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60240-3