![]() “In some subset of OCD patients, autoimmunity is likely triggered by specific bacterial, viral, or parasitic agents…” (4) Click to tweetĪdditionally, toddlers or very young children who develop a sudden onset of OCD-like behaviors, along with other neuropsychiatric symptoms following an infection may suffer from PANS or PANDAS, a manifestation of basal ganglia encephalitis. “The onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after age 50 is rare and generally related to an organic etiology.” 2 2 In fact, one study found that out of 1,000 OCD patients, only 5 had their initial symptoms develop later in life. 1 Older individuals or very young children rarely develop OCD. OCD typically appears in children around age 10 or in young adults. These individuals experience an almost overnight eruption of obsessions and/or compulsions which, on the surface, appears to be OCD but may also be an infection-triggered autoimmune encephalopathy. Patients who develop an abrupt, and sudden onset of symptoms, may have an underlying organic cause, such as an infection, triggering OCD-like behaviors. In most cases, OCD will develop gradually. Obsessive compulsive behaviors may be driven by irrational fears, upsetting thoughts, or disturbing images. However, the behaviors tend to revolve around several themes, including: contamination and cleanliness concerns fear of being harmed or someone else being hurt having items in symmetrical order or performing rituals hoarding behaviors and having bad or “taboo” thoughts. The behaviors can wax and wane in severity and present differently in every individual. Individuals who develop OCD suffer from persistent, intrusive thoughts and feelings (obsessions) so extreme that it drives them to perform obsessive behaviors (compulsions) to alleviate their anxiety.
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