Obsessive–compulsive disorder
A form of psychotherapy called "cognitive behavioral therapy" (CBT) and psychotropic medications are first-line treatments for OCD. Other forms of psychotherapy, such as psychodynamic and psychoanalysis may help in managing some aspects of the disorder, but in 2007 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) noted a lack of controlled studies showing their effectiveness "in dealing with the core symptoms of OCD". The fact that many individuals do not seek treatment may be due in part to stigma associated with OCD.
Cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Dopaminergic systems are implicated in OCD by the efficacy of dopaminergic agents, the fact that PANDAS may be implicated, and by various neuroimaging studies. OCD may be treated with antipsychotic agents, however psychostimulants agents have also shown some promise in alleviating the symptoms of OCD. Although these need to be reconciled, they both implicate the dopaminergic systems. OCD also has a high comorbidity with ADHD, which is treated with psychostimulants and may result from increased phasic and decreased tonic signaling of dopaminergic neurons. PANDAS also affects the basal ganglia, where dopamine plays a large role as a neurotransmitter.