Using a functional MRI (fMRI) to measure underactivation in certain parts of the brain may soon be used over current diagnostic techniques, which usually don't identify obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) until it has already developed.

According to an article that recently appeared in the peer-reviewed journal Science, an estimated two to three percent of the population suffers from OCD, characterized by recurrent thoughts and sometimes socially crippling repetitive actions.

Researchers at the Cambridge University in the U.K. measured brain activity in a region of the brain involved in decision-making and behavior using fMRI, finding that participants who had OCD or were relatives of people with OCD showed underactivation in this area of the brain -- further suggesting the belief that OCD may be a genetic disorder.

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We all have habits and routines that comfort us in different areas of life, and physical fitness is no exception. Some people have certain pieces of equipment they like to use, certain clothes they like to wear, and a certain order they like to do things in. But when do these particular little quirks and preferences become full-fledged OCD? It's really only a problem if they get so bad they start to interfere with life by taking up excessive amounts of time, causing marital stress, or costing money, say experts. Routines are "A okay" for the most part, but remember that so is a little flexibility now and then.

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A joke among some friends of mine is that everyone has obsessive-compulsive disorder in some fashion. It may manifest itself in many different ways, according to popular water-cooler discussion.

Are any of them of particular concern, though? Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been a buzzword in the psychiatric field for some time now, and CBT is no being considered as a treatment to cases of OCD.

So, if you've been diagnosed with OCD and treatments haven't performed as you'd like, you may want to inquire into CBT treatment with your mental health care provider.

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Contrary to popular belief, in many ways, being "stuck in a rut" can be healthy for you. Whether it's a simple habit like getting up early so you can relax with your coffee, or more complicated like a series of things you do in particular order before starting or ending your day, routines and rituals have been clinically shown to reduce stress and promote over-all feelings of well-being. Basic, comfortable "ruts" provide a sense of stability and calmness in an otherwise unpredictable and stressful world. As with everything though, it is possible to overdo it. When rituals become excessive, such as in obsessive compulsive disorder, they start doing you more harm than good.

So go ahead and indulge those quirky little routines that you love so much! And next time somebody accuses you of being in a rut, you can smile to yourself and say "yes I am."

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