23 Feb 3 Biological Factors Contributing to OCD in Youth: Implications for School-Based Interventions
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)is a condition that can significantly affect children and adolescents with debilitating effects both in their social relationships and within the school environment.
International OCD Foundation (2018) found that youth diagnosed with OCD are 40-60% less likely to meet educational milestones.
Genetic, neurological and biochemical dimensions of OCD in youth offer knowledge to inform school-based interventions.
1. Genetic: Research consistently shows that genetics play a vital role in the development of OCD.
Family Studies demonstrate that having first degree relatives with OCD increases the risk significantly.
2. Neurological Factors: Structural and functional abnormalities in specific brain areas are linked to a diagnosis of OCD.
Imaging studies have pointed to the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and basal ganglia as critical regions affected in OCD patients.
These areas of the brain are involved in decision making, response inhibition and threat processing, correlating with symptoms of OCD or impairments noted for individuals diagnosed with this disorder.
3. Prenatal influences and early life stress: Studies have shown that complications during pregnancy, such as infections or maternal stress, may influence the development of OCD symptoms.
Understanding the biological factors of OCD is crucial for developing tailored interventions in the educational setting.