Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by repeated unwanted thoughts, repetitive behaviours and rituals to reduce these thoughts. OCD is often seen together with other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Although it may seem similar, often the urge to perform certain behaviours or act in certain ways is sometimes confused with impulse control disorder. Impulsivity is a trait associated with low impulse control, impaired cognitive functioning, and risky behaviour. Impulse control disorders include disorders that affect the ability to control behaviour and can lead to behavioural addictions, such as gambling addiction. It is argued that impulsivity is associated with neurotransmitters, genetic factors and brain structure and that impulsive behaviours have neurological bases. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin have been associated with impulsivity. Candidate genes associated with impulsivity and aggression have been shown to alter the function of neurotransmitters. The relationship between psychiatric illnesses and criminality has been the subject of intense debate and investigation by many researchers in recently. Although there is no direct connection between OCD and criminal behaviour, there are some behaviours that can be considered "behavioural addiction" in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition”(DSM-5), such as gambling addiction and compulsive stealing. It is an undeniable fact that individuals with impulse control disorders are prone to criminal acts. The relationship between OCD and impulse control disorder has therefore attracted the attention of forensic sciences and has been examined multidisciplinary.
Key words: Obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychiatric genetics, impulsivity, behavioural genetics
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