Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with High-Functioning Autism in Teenagers

Rohit Bhattacharjee, Amity University, Kolkata

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is separated from other anxiety disorders and classified under the new category of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (OCRDs). Hence the treatment of Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is different, and the neuroanatomical target of therapy should also be unique as compared to other anxiety disorders. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) among the top neurodevelopmental disorders in the world. Research has revealed that ASD shares common genetic roots with OCD. All these conditions share similar features in terms of brain architecture, disruptions in corpus callosum resulting in an increased risk of comorbidity of OCD with high-functioning autism.

Individuals with OCD share similar traits with ASD like ritualistic and avoidance behaviours, inflexibility and repetitiveness of thoughts. The brain receives electric signals, gives them meaning and responds by releasing/dispatching neurochemicals or electrical signals. In this way, the brain regulates the body, controls movement and influences emotions. The neural integration is essential as it enables the embodied brain to function effectively as well as the growth of a coherent and well-balanced mind which is absent in individuals with ASD or OCD.  The rigidity of ASD mind, owing to connectivity problems and faulty system of neurotransmitters strengthens the resilience of obsessive thoughts, making them harder to remove.

The disintegration of the brain system has made it impossible to self-regulate or develop relationships that could also contribute to restricted interests as the mind is inflexible and inclined towards repetitive actions. Existing pieces of literature on ASD and OCD present the neurobiological evidence to explain why such overlapping takes place, however, there is still little information on how the coexistence of both conditions may lead to impairment in cognitive abilities.

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Source:- 

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association.
2. Ameis, S. H., Lerch, J. P., Taylor, M. J., Lee, W., Viviano, J. D., Pipitone, J.,…Anagnostou, E. (2016). A diffusion tensor imaging study in children with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, OCD, and matched controls: Distinct and non-distinct white matter disruption and dimensional brain-behavior relationships. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(12), 1213-1222. DOI:10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.15111435
3. Anholt, G. E., Cath, D. C., Van Oppen, P., Eikelenboom, M., Smit, J. H., Van Megen, H., & Van Balkom, A. J. (2010). Autism and ADHD symptoms in patients with OCD: Are they associated with specific OC symptom dimensions or OC symptom severity? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder, 40(5), 580-589. DOI:10.1007/s10803-009-0922-1

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