Role of Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of OCD

Obsessions are defined as recurrent, persistent, thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced as intrusive & inappropriate. Compulsions are repetitivebehaviours or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules.

Until the 1850s, obsessive-compulsive phenomena were considered to be a variant of the old notion of insanity. After 1860, organic causal hypotheses for OCD included dysfunctions of the autonomic nervous system and cortical blood supply. In 1880 OCD was included in the spectrum of neuroses. Psychological hypothesessuggested the OCD might result from volitional, intellectual, or emotional impairment, the last of which predominated after 1890. First description of OCD in childhood was given by Pierre Janet in 1903 who reported on a five year old boy with characteristic symptoms. OCD usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood although it can begin in childhood. Nearly 65% of the patients have the onset before 25 years of age and <15% have onset after 35 years of age.