2021 AM Posters-OCD Is There an Overlap with Addictive Disorders

OCD Is There an Overlap with Addictive Disorders

Pdf Summary

This document discusses the overlap between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and addictive disorders, specifically in the case of a 45-year-old male who presents with OCD, alcohol use disorder, gambling disorder, and bulimia nervosa. The patient exhibits compulsions related to somatic illness in OCD, experiences cravings triggered by intrusive thoughts in alcohol use disorder, accumulates debt through gambling, and engages in bulimic behavior as an "escape" from intrusive thoughts. The current treatment includes fluoxetine and alprazolam, with past treatments including clomipramine, bupropion, lithium, abilify, and clonazepam.<br /><br />The discussion highlights the similarities between OCD and addictive disorders, particularly in terms of cognitive deficits, such as impulsivity, response inhibition, reward system, and behavioral flexibility. Both OCD and addiction maintain compulsions through negative reinforcement, and there are neurobiological similarities in brain regions and neurotransmitters involved in both conditions. The ventral striatum, medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, habenula, insula, and limbic system are all implicated in both OCD and addictive disorders. Common neurotransmitter deficits in serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate may also exist in both conditions. The findings suggest that addressing these shared neurobiological abnormalities could inform future treatment modalities.<br /><br />The presenter of this information is Karin Lavie, MD, from the University of Chicago. The document includes references to studies that explore the relationship between OCD and addictive disorders, such as the impact of inhibition and impulsivity on response control, the neural systems of reinforcement in drug addiction, and the assessment of addiction dimensions in OCD and gambling disorder. The document concludes by mentioning the potential for future treatment approaches to be developed based on these neurobiological similarities between OCD and addictive disorders.

Keywords

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

OCD

addictive disorders

alcohol use disorder

gambling disorder

bulimia nervosa

somatic illness

cravings

compulsions

neurobiological similarities

	The content on this site is intended solely to inform and educate medical professionals. This site shall not be used for medical advice and is not a substitute for the advice or treatment of a qualified medical professional.		400 Massasoit Avenue Suite 307 East Providence, RI 02914 cmecpd@aaap.org	About Advocacy Membership Fellowship Education and Resources Training Events