Psychobiology of anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is currently classified as an anxiety disorder. However, there is growing interest in the concept of an obsessive-compulsive spectrum of disorders (OCSDs). The relationship between anxiety disorders and OCSDs has been questioned. The psychobiology of anxiety disorders and OCSDs is briefly reviewed in this article. While there appear to be several distinct contrasts in the underlying psychobiology of these conditions, there is also evidence of overlapping mechanisms. In addition, there are crucial gaps in our current database, confounding nosological decision-making. Conceptualizing various anxiety disorders and putative OCSDs as lying within a broader spectrum of emotional disorders may be useful. However, clinicians must also recognize that individual anxiety and obsessive-compulsive spectrum conditions, including disorders characterized by body-focused repetitive behaviors, have distinct psychobiological underpinnings and require different treatment approaches.
Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. dan.stein@uct.ac.za
Dan J
DJ
Stein
D000818:Animals; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000502:physiology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents