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Learn DBT Skills In A Group
Weekly sessions are available. Grouport offers therapist-led dialectical behavior therapy skills groups online. The first 12 weeks covers fundamental DBT skills.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health disorder that involves uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that an individual feels the urge to repeat. While the emotional and behavioral symptoms of OCD are widely discussed, it's equally crucial to understand the disorder's impact on the brain. This article will delve into the neurological changes and abnormalities associated with OCD.
Understanding the origins of OCD involves examining the brain's structure, including key regions involved in executive functions, decision-making, and emotion regulation. Three brain areas are of particular interest in OCD: the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the striatum.
The OFC is involved in decision-making and expectation-based actions. Abnormalities in this area may contribute to the characteristic doubt and uncertainty in OCD. The ACC, involved in error detection and conflict monitoring, might be linked to feelings of distress when things are 'not right.' The striatum, part of the basal ganglia responsible for habit formation, may contribute to the repetitive behaviors found in OCD.
Studies using brain imaging techniques like MRI have found these regions to be structurally and functionally different in individuals with OCD compared to those without the disorder. These differences suggest alterations in these brain areas may contribute to OCD's development and persistence.
Neurotransmitters, the brain's chemical messengers, also play a significant role in OCD. Specifically, serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, has been closely linked to OCD. The so-called 'Serotonin Hypothesis' suggests that a deficiency in serotonin or an imbalance in the brain's serotonin pathways may contribute to OCD symptoms.
While this hypothesis is supported by the effectiveness of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating OCD, the exact role of serotonin is still not entirely understood. Serotonin likely interacts with other neurotransmitters and brain structures in complex ways to contribute to OCD.
Finally, emerging research suggests that OCD may impact the brain's plasticity, its ability to change and adapt in response to experiences. Some studies have found that individuals with OCD show reduced plasticity compared to those without the disorder. This reduction may impair the ability to learn new behaviors or thought patterns, making it more difficult to overcome the rigid, repetitive patterns of OCD.
In summary, OCD is not just a disorder of behavior or thought but also involves significant changes in brain structure and function. The interplay of brain regions, neurotransmitters, and neural plasticity contributes to developing and maintaining OCD symptoms. Understanding these complex neurological underpinnings can inform treatment strategies and provide a deeper understanding of this challenging disorder.
Grouport Therapy provides online group therapy and OCD online group therapy sessions using exposure response prevention therapy (the gold standard for OCD treatment). Our licensed therapist leads weekly group sessions conducted remotely in the comfort of members' homes. According to participant feedback, 70% experienced significant improvements within 8 weeks.
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Due to licensing restrictions, our online group therapy sessions are for Florida, New York, and New Jersey residents. If you are not a resident of either state, consider our dialectical behavior therapy skills group. It is a therapist-instructor-led online group that will teach you strategic new skills to replace behaviors and emotions causing friction in your daily life and relationships. It is excellent for interpersonal connections and building social skills concerning relationship issues.
Our therapists incorporate exposure responsive prevention therapy (the gold standard for OCD treatment) in our OCD group therapy sessions. Our OCD groups will help you habituate to your obsessions and refrain from engaging in compulsions, so you can experience meaningful symptom reduction.
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