In honor of Thanksgiving, the following is a re-post of last year’s description of the ‘evidence-based’ Thanksgiving meal. Enjoy!

Cranberry Sauce
Cranberries for preventing urinary tract […]

When I set out to research and write this blog post on the role of SSRi’s in treating OCD, I learned that OCD is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder in the DSM-V, but is in a new category of Obsessive-Compulsive and related disorders. I can attest to the anxiety that comes with OCD, and I have always been comforted explaining to people that OCD is “just another anxiety disorder.” It makes the condition seem normal, somehow common. So why did the expert DSM-V updaters make the change? In this blog post I will present two reasons why OCD is no longer lumped together with GAD, SAD, and all the other AD’s.

The Neurochemistry
The neurochemistry found in OCD patients, and other obsessive compulsive disorders, is distinct from the features that characterize other anxiety disorders (Stein et al., 2010). Recent imaging research has shown that frontal striatal pathways are the malfunctioning neurocircuit that causes OCD symptoms (Goodman, 2014). Further proof for this finding comes from a study that used neuroimaging results to show that abnormalities of activation in the head of the caudate nucleus, the thymus, and the orbital gyri decreased significantly in patients that underwent successful non psychopharmacological treatment for OCD (Shwartz et al., 1996).
The Executive functioning (EF) Hypothesis
Research suggests that OCD is related to problems with executive functioning, where as other anxiety disorders are a result of emotion processing issues (Stein et al., 2010). A recent Meta-analysis of studies assessing executive functioning in people with OCD showed “that individuals with OCD are impaired on tasks measuring most aspects of EF, consistent with broad impairment in EF” (Snyder, 2014). Measures of executive functioning include an individual’s ability to shift between tasks, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition. Anyone familiar with OCD, can attest to inflexibility and repetitive behavior that may be a result of this EF impairment. Neuroimaging research that implicates the prefrontal striatal cortex as an important location for executive functioning in the brain, supports the theory that malfunctioning in this brain area causes OCD.

The moral of the story is that OCD is no longer categorized as an anxiety disorder in the DSM. Does OCD almost always involve anxiety? Absolutely. Is OCD often comorbid with an anxiety disorder? Yes. However, experts in the field believe that the underlying differences between Obsessive-compulsive disorders and anxiety disorder are significant enough to merit a separate category. What’s done is done (at least until the next DSM). What remains to be seen, is how the conceptualization of OCD will change in our society and what effect this change will have on treatment.

• For more information on the neurocircuitry, executive functioning, and other distinctions between OCD and anxiety disorders not covered here, I highly recommend taking a look at the following review!
http://www.dsm5.org/Research/Documents/Stein_OCD.pdf

References:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, 2014-09-01Z, Volume 37, Issue 3, Pages 257-267, Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc.

Schwartz, Jeffrey M., et al. “Systematic Changes in Cerebral Glucose Metabolic Rate After Successful Behavior Modification Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.” Archives of General Psychiatry 53.2 (1996): 109-13. ProQuest. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.

Snyder, H., Kaiser, R., Warren, S., & Heller, W. (2014). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Is Associated With Broad Impairments in Executive Function A Meta-Analysis. Clinical Psychological Science. Retrieved November 15, 2014, from http://cpx.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/07/16/2167702614534210.full

Stein, D., Fineberg, N., Bienvenu, O., Denys, D., Lochner, C., Nestadt, G., Phillips, K. (2010). Should OCD be classified as an anxiety disorder in DSM-V? Depression and Anxiety, (27), 495-506. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.dsm5.org/Research/Documents/Stein_OCD.pdf

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by Patrick J. Schena

In recent months there has been considerable focus in the global investment community directed on the fee structures of investment managers. Periodically the scale of investment fees rises […]

Boston Public School (BPS) Facilities Management Department is seeking an Energy Conservation Campaign Intern to assist in data assessment, program outreach and educational resource development for a new energy behavior change program. As part of the Energy Conservation Campaign, all 128 Boston schools (k-12) will receive monthly utility usage reports highlighting their usage of water, gas and electric. Additionally schools that sign up to participate in the Conservation Program (expecting 10-20 schools) will receive direct support in the form of technical assistance, grade specific educational resources, onsite trainings and awards and recognition. At the close of the program (March 2015), schools that have been able to reduce at least 5% above their baseline will be rewarded financially through a shared savings incentive.
The intern will work 10-20 hours per week from December 2014 through March 2015 with the possibility of an extension through May 2015. Holiday and winter break schedules are flexible. Pay ranges from $12-$15/hour depending on experience.

Responsibilities
– Research behavior change energy conservation program best practices
– Develop tools for tracking and communicating each school’s progress in saving energy
– Develop educational energy conservation resources for schools
– Create and disseminate marketing materials to promote the Energy Conservation Campaign
– Visit schools, classrooms and district events to educate stakeholders on simple ways they can reduce energy in their school
– Develop a summary report of program outcomes and savings
Qualifications
– Strong understanding of building occupant energy conservation techniques and experience
– Experience with implementing sustainability focused behavior change campaigns
– Strong quantitative data collection, management, analysis, and presentation skills, including proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
– Strong interpersonal skills including an interest and ability to work with students in grades k-12
– Experience developing and teaching energy education activities, especially with youth
– Ability to work independently, travel to schools throughout the City with minimal supervision
– Strong written and verbal skills and experience with social media

Applicants should send a detailed cover letter and resume to pbeierle@bostonpublicschools.org with “Energy Conservation Intern” in the subject line. Applications must be received by Nov 24, 2014.

Terms of Internship
This position is part time, temporary position. The Intern will work from the BPS Administrative Building, Facilities Management Offices – 26 Court Street, Boston MA 02108. Travel to other administrative buildings in Dorchester and schools across the City will be required.
A phone and desktop computer will be provided. The position does not cover transportation or other benefit coverage.

The Cambridge Compact for a Sustainable Future was launched in 2013 by the City of Cambridge, Harvard, MIT and multiple large businesses to leverage the intellectual and entrepreneurial capacity of the business, […]

The Humboldt Chair of Digital Humanities at the University of Leipzig is starting a Sunoikisis Program in Europe in collaboration with Sunoikisis at the Center for Hellenic Studies. Sunoikisis Europe will be b […]