In addition, it should possess features of compulsive behavioral sequences.
Impulsive and compulsive behavioral traits are associated with these disorders (Everitt & Robbins, 2013; Hosking & Winstanley, 2011; Koob & Volkow, 2010; Leeman & Potenza, 2012), but whether this relationship is causal or consequential is not clear (Dick et al., 2010).
But it is also possible to see addiction as an obsessive-compulsive behavioral disorder, akin to compulsive gambling or repetitive hand-washing.
The phobic hero of "Monk," a series that had its premiere this month on USA, is so riddled with obsessive-compulsive behavioral tics that he can't be let out in public without a nurse.
Case 2 is a 55-year-old man with 9 years of profound behavioral changes including compulsive behaviors, disinhibition, socially inappropriate behavior, and impairment in executive, memory, and visuospatial functions (MMSE = 16).
Given the behavioral similarities between some of the compulsive behaviors in OCD and addiction, we hypothesized that the opioid antagonist naltrexone might attenuate compulsions in OCD as well.
Although additional research will be necessary to corroborate this account, in light of convergent neurobiological and behavioral evidence, we postulate that this imbalance may contribute to the compulsive behaviors typical of OCD.
People with Prader-Willi syndrome are prone to temper outbursts, stubbornness, and compulsive behavior such as picking at the skin, but, for Eddie and Stevie, those behavioral problems are exacerbated because they also have autism spectrum disorder.
Brain plasticity suggests relief for people wanting to break the cycle of sexual compulsive behavior, in that just as these neural pathways are created, they can be re-routed with behavioral therapy and/or medication.
Was this compulsive behavior?
Six people with obsessive thoughts without overt compulsions received cognitive therapy based on a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral account of obsessive-compulsive behavior using techniques developed specifically for OCD (Freeston, Rhéaume, & Ladouceur, 1996).
