Childhood onset correlated with higher familial incidence, but otherwise does not differ from adult onset. Most studies find parents of OCD patients possess obsessional traits. Various areas of brain researched including frontal lobes, cingulate gyri, septohippocampal system, hypothalamuc, and basal ganglia. Most likely present theory based on neuroimaging studies suggests a striatal substructure dysfunction. Most drugs which affect anxiety, depression, or psychosis are not effective.
Current theories favor synaptic reuptake of serotonin.
Individual learns that anxiety can be reduced by obsession and compulsions. Response becomes conditioned and is reinforced intermittently. Mosby-Year Book, Inc.