By Ricky Farrell

OCD AND
DEPRESSION
COMORBITITY

Population Stats
15 million people Suffering from
Depression (Depression)
3 million people suffering from OCD
(Obsessive-compulsive Disorder)

OCD and Depression

My Research Question
What, if any, are the neurological and
psychological similarities between
OCD and Depression, and what is the
most effective therapy for patients
with comorbid OCD and Depression?

Reasons for Comorbidity

Psychological
People who suffer from OCD often go

through debilitating anxiety and embarrassing

and/or confusing compulsions on a daily
basis.

Neurological
OCD is often found

prevalent with other disorders,

such as Turrets and Anxiety
Disorder.

Most Effective Treatment Method

Some form of Selective Serotonin

Reuptake Inhibitor
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

(These treatments may not work for all

patients, but a majority)

SSRIs
No reason known why it helps
OCD
Blocks serotonin at the synapse
of the neurotransmitter, giving it
the ability to work properly for a
longer time

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

learn[ing] how to replace their

maladaptive thoughts and behaviors with
positive ones that facilitate individual
growth and happiness, (Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy).
Is often used in the separate treatments of
OCD and Depression.

Abnormal Regions of the Brain

OCD
Prefrontal Cortex
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Subcortical Brain Regions (Caudate and Putamen)
Paralimbic Structures (Insula and Amygdala)
Major Depression
Prefrontal Cortical
Paralimbic Structures
Subcortical Brain Regions
(Remijnsi)

Why are Obsessivecompulsive Disorder and Major Depressive

Disorder so different in other symptomologies if on paper, they
seem almost exactly the same neurologically?

(Remijnsi)

Distinct Differences in Brain

Abnormalities
OCD- Increased Activation
Putamen
Anterior cingulate
Insula
Major Depression- Decreased Activation
Parietal Cortex
Precuneus

(Remijnsi)

To take away
Having a better understanding of both of these
disorders can help psychiatrists and
psychologists know how to use this
information to go deeper into these two
disorders, eventually creating a routine
program for the treatment of OCD and
Depression, comorbid or separate.

Thank You!