Breaking the Vicious Circle

It is not well understood at present why OCD occurs. Some of the possible causes include:
 

Genetics and family history - Research studies have demonstrated that a person is more predisposed to developing OCD if their first-degree relatives such as a parent or a sibling also have OCD. No particular genes have been identified yet but interestingly the risk increases, if the relative developed OCD as a child or an adolescent. It is also possible that a child or a young person may develop OCD emulating the behaviour of another family member.

Biology - Brain scan studies have shown that people with OCD often have differences compared to non-sufferers in the frontal cortex and subcortical regions of the brain that are involved in regulating our emotional response and behaviour. Researchers have identified brain networks and biological processes responsible for triggering obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviour, and associated fear and anxiety. More research is needed to understand the connection between OCD symptoms and parts of the brain.
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
 

Some experts do not subscribe to the theory that OCD is a biological disease.
www.ocduk.org/ocd/what-causes-ocd/
PANDAS - Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders associated with Streptococcal infections
It describes a group of conditions that can affect children who have suffered from strep infections such as strep throat, or scarlet fever. OCD is one of these conditions and the symptoms can manifest as quickly as within one or two weeks.
Streptococcal infections trigger an immune response and in some children with the infection, the antibodies generated mount an autoimmune attack on the basal ganglia leading to diagnoses of PANDAS. 

Yoga can be an excellent adjunctive therapy for OCD along with psychotherapy (CBT - cognitive behaviour therapy, ERP - exposure and response prevention) and medication.

Practicing meditation and relaxation techniques that are an integral part of yoga has been shown to provide remarkable relief from the symptoms of OCD. Owing to a huge interest and research in these subjects there is an overwhelming body of evidence demonstrating the many benefits of these practices. Relaxation techniques of yoga can calm the dopaminergic pathways reducing the motivation/urge to perform a certain action repeatedly, and stimulate the serotonergic system to calm the on-off anxiety present in someone with OCD. Meditation techniques can help the person observe and face their thoughts unflustered thus reducing the anxiety associated with thoughts that appear intrusive and unwelcome. Reduction of anxiety also results in the reduction of associated compulsions and gradually weakens the grip of OCD on the person.

Here are other ways in which yoga may contribute to relieving symptoms of OCD: 

1. Stress Reduction: Yoga is known for its stress-reducing effects. The combination of physical postures, controlled breathing (pranayama), and meditation can help calm the nervous system, reducing overall stress levels. Since stress often exacerbates OCD symptoms, managing stress can be beneficial.
2. Mindfulness and Awareness: Yoga emphasizes mindfulness, encouraging individuals to stay present in the moment and be aware of their thoughts and sensations. Mindfulness practices can help individuals with OCD observe their thoughts without becoming overly attached to them, fostering a more balanced relationship with their mental processes.
3. Breath Control (Pranayama): Controlled breathing exercises in yoga can have a calming effect on the nervous system. Deep, rhythmic breathing can help regulate physiological responses and reduce anxiety, which may be linked to certain OCD symptoms.
4. Physical Activity: Engaging in regular physical activity through yoga can contribute to overall well-being. Exercise has been shown to have positive effects on mood and can be a helpful aspect of managing symptoms related to mental health conditions, including OCD.
5. Cultivation of Patience: Yoga encourages individuals to be patient with themselves and their practice. This cultivation of patience may be valuable for individuals with OCD, who often grapple with the need for control and certainty.
6. Body Awareness: Yoga fosters body awareness, helping individuals reconnect with their bodies and sensations. This awareness can be grounding and may contribute to a decreased focus on obsessive thoughts.
7. Community and Support: Participating in yoga classes provides a sense of community and support. Feeling connected to others who share a similar interest can be beneficial for individuals with OCD, reducing feelings of isolation.
8. Relaxation Response: Certain yoga practices, such as restorative poses and guided relaxation, can trigger the relaxation response, countering the heightened arousal often associated with OCD.

While OCD can hold sway on the person affected, it doesn't spare those around them either. Family and friends ought to bear the brunt of the person's OCD-driven behaviour.
A lack of understanding of OCD can cause alarm and concern among family and friends. For instance, if a person were to start washing their hands to the extent that causes their hands to bruise and probably bleed, is going to trigger emotional upset and puzzlement for the loved ones.
Some OCD behaviours that are repetitive and involve say checking if the house or a car door is locked or not, not once but several times (depending on whatever seems to be the right number of times to the person affected) can be frustrating, time-consuming, tiring, and can test the patience of all involved, to say the least.
A person with OCD can struggle to maintain a job, or do well (compared to someone without the condition) in their job or work, or may not even be fit to continue working in severe cases. This can create financial difficulties for the family or any dependents including debts, distress, and many compromises that have to be made to make ends meet with limited finances.
Family and friends may have to take on additional responsibilities to support the person with OCD. It may prove difficult and counterproductive to argue with the person affected regarding their behaviour as it will likely evoke negative reactions and setbacks. This may cause resentment and a sense of being trapped by the situation among others. Children in the family may also be affected by way of witnessing the family dynamics especially as they may not fully appreciate the gravity of matters affecting the household.

The two prevailing approaches for the treatment of OCD are medications and Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in combination with Graded exposure and response prevention (ERP). However, from the collated research evidence of recent years, there is wider consensus among most researchers that CBT/ERP is generally more effective compared to the relief obtained from drugs and has come to be the mainstay of the treatment for OCD. The main distinction in CBT/ERP treatment of OCD compared to other CBT treatments is that it addresses both aspects of this condition. The person is led to approach anxiety-provoking situations instead of avoiding them followed by the prevention of compulsive behaviours. This is done gradually in a staircase manner to allow the person to build up their coping capacity until a good recovery is made.
 

The medications for OCD treatment are mainly SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) that increase the availability of serotonin at synaptic junctions within the neural circuits involved in the manifestation of OCD. Typically, this neural circuit involves the cortico-striatum-thalamic pathway. Specially of significance is the striatum which is involved in the selection of a Go Task or No Go Task. SSRIs influence the striatum in opting for the No Go Task which results in the person with OCD avoiding their compulsive actions. SSRIs also help reduce anxiety in the person thus breaking the bridge between their obsessions and compulsions. SSRIs however, have their share of side effects that may interfere with a person's gut and affect appetite, reduce libido, and cause Parkinsonian syndrome among several others.