Faulty Feedback Loops: OCD and the Brain

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is the 4th most common mental health condition in the world, and affects over 50 million. 21st century technology is now unlocking the secrets of neuroanatomy, giving us a glimpse into what keeps us obsessing.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, has been with us throughout our history, from the blasphemers beset with devils in the Dark-Ages, to the Hollywood caricatures of 21st century film and television. Emerging as a distinct diagnosis in the 1840’s, it has divided opinion ever since. Victorian psychiatrists considered it a hereditary disease of the ‘nerves,’ Edwardian psychoanalysts claimed it as a psychological defence mechanism against latent aggression, finally cognitive scientists and behaviourists believed it was caused by unfortunate conditioning. In today’s world we have almost come full circle, once more scientists are labelling OCD as a problem within the brain. To understand it, we first need a lesson in Neuroanatomy.

The Thalamus

Greek for ‘little chamber’ the thalamus appears as two symmetrical almonds located deep in the cerebrum. Thought to be the brains switchboard it relays sensory data to the cortex, as well as…