Generalized Anxiety Disorders (OCD)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about everyday things that is disproportionate to the actual source of worry. This excessive worry often interferes with daily functioning, as individuals suffering GAD typically anticipate disaster, and are overly concerned about everyday matters such as health issues, money, death, family problems, friend problems, relationship problems or work difficulties.[1] They often exhibit a variety of physical symptoms, including fatigue, fidgeting, headaches, nausea, numbness in hands and feet, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, bouts of difficulty breathing, trembling, twitching, irritability,

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most diagnosed mental disorders today, and can often be closely linked to concurrent symptoms or disorders including physiological, behavioral, other anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse. (Merino, Senra & Ferreiro, 2016) (Cacioppo & Fregberg, 2013, p. 688). GAD most notably produces symptoms of excessive worry and anxiety related to non-specific risks, which often leads to functional decline both socially and professionally (Roberge et al., 2015). GAD reveals instances of links to biological origins such as heredity and biochemistry, as well as, ties to an individual’s cognitive development and socioeconomic environment (Cacioppo & Fregberg, 2013).

Even though there are no specific statistics showing geographically how many people in each country are affected, it is estimated that “5% - 6% of teens ages 13-18 are affected by this troubling disorder, not including the teens that receive no treatment,” (“Generalized”). Youth that receive no treatment could be considered are under privileged. Meaning that they do not have the resources or are very limited to resources that could help them get the proper treatment for their disorder. Many of those adolescents are children that come from low income families, single family homes, or foster care to name a few. Foster care children however, “Find themselves in a system that is ill-equipped to provide the services they need, and that can further impede their progress towards emotional well-being,” States Lisette Austin, author of “UNLOCKING: Mental Health Services for Youth in Care.” “According to the World Health Organization, nearly 20% of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from some type of emotional or behavioral problem. . .” (“Austin”) (“Mental”). “U.S. Surgeon General reports that roughly 1 in 10 American children experience a mental illness severe enough to cause significant impairment,” (“Austin”) (“Mental”). In her article she also states from another source, Steve Hornberger, Director of Behavioral Health for CWLA, “That anywhere ranging from 40% to 85% of kids in foster care have mental health disorders, depending on what reports you read,” (“Austin”)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) was once considered a rare disease, but today, it is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders present among society. OCD is described as “intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions), which increase anxiety, and by repetitive or ritualistic actions (compulsions), which decrease anxiety” (Stein, 2002). In the DSM-IV, Obsessive compulsive disorder can be diagnosed through observable behaviours or repetitive mental habits. Symptoms include; the constant washing of hands, and/or fears concerning danger to others or to self – resulting in frequent paranoia. OCD has been linked with lesions in various neurological circuits of the brain due to the consumption of dopamine agonists (for example, cocaine). In order for obsessive compulsive disorder to take clinical significance, dysfunction and distress must follow symptoms. The treatment of OCD was initially developed in the Freudian era, as psychoanalytical treatment was seen as the most effective treatment at the time for mind management. Conversely, recent empirical evidence proved otherwise. Pharmacological therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy, also known as systematic desensitization are nowadays the most prominent remedies used in treating obsessive compulsive disorder.

Brian is a 26 year old Caucasian male who has previously diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and Obsessive-Control Disorder (OCD). Brian, ultimately, also suffers from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). After ruling out the other mood disorders we agreeably came to the conclusion of MDD. Brian suffers from MDD which is resulting to have significant impairment in his life.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder “is characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for worry”(Generalized Anxiety Disorder par. 1). For example, you could be spending your whole day worrying about a pop quiz that you know is not going to happen or afraid that your how is going to get robbed while you are at school. These constant crazy worries really can put a toll on your everyday life. Some of the main symptoms include headaches, sweating, nausea, muscle tension, concentration problems, ongoing worry, and unrealistic view on problems, and tiredness.

Checking to make sure the stove is turned off, or double checking that the car is locked are all normal things. But a person with obsessive compulsive disorder may participate in these same actions, the only difference is it is much more intense. According to the National Institute of Mental Health those who have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) have an impulse to check things multiple times, have rituals, thoughts and routines that they repeat over and over (National Institute of Health, 2013). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention further defines OCD, by having both obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions have two aspects to them and include having thoughts, impulses or images that repeatedly happen and are generally unwanted.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is defined by having unwanted and intrusive obsessions and responding to these obsessions with compulsions. There are a couple circulatory abnormalities in patients with OCD including the thalamus and prefrontal cortex. These abnormalities are thought to be the cause of the disorder. Treatment options for OCD include behavioral therapy and the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Switching SSRIs can lead to serotonin syndrome if patients do not let one drug out of their system before taking the new one. Patients sometimes use both treatments in effort to maximize results. Patients with OCD understand that their compulsions are absurd, but cannot help satisfying their compulsion.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a personality disorder characterized by a constant, pervasive anxiety and the repetitive completion of tasks in an attempt to assuage that anxiety. The tasks completed most often include obsessive washing or cleaning, checking the status of some external factor, like locks or stoves, and counting features of the environment, like stairs or nearby objects. Together, cleaning and checking comprise up to 75% of those who suffer from OCD. For the purpose of this paper, only these two common facets of OCD will be discussed in conjunction with memory. Those with OCD often exhibit a certain amount of doubt about their memory efficacy and accuracy, compounded by the compulsion to verify observations (Klumpp, Amir,

In the field of Psychology there are a number of psychological disorders as well categories in which these disorders are placed. Psychological disorders are categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; the manual is now in its fifth edition, which is known as the DSM-5. In the DSM-5, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is categorized with other compulsive disorders. Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, is a condition “marked by persistent, uncontrollable intrusions of unwanted thoughts or obsessions and urges to engage in senseless rituals called compulsions” (Weiten, 2015). Some examples of these obsessions or urges include persistent hand washing, counting, and extensive checking such as if doors are locked or ovens are turned off. In OCD some of the actions performed by those who suffer from the disorder become very intrusive and become a factor that interrupts their daily lives and may cause problems at home, work, in relationships and more (Baldridge, 2016). The number of individuals who suffer from this disorder ranges form 2 to 3 percent of the population (Weiten, 2015). People typically begin suffering from OCD between late childhood and early adulthood (Baldridge, 2016). The onset of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder often occurs following a stressful life event (Baldridge, 2016). In order to meet the criteria for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder the compulsions and obsessions must cause distress and cause an

Obsessions can be any repulsive thoughts, scary reflections, or anything that causes fear or worry. Obsessions are uncontrolled by the person who has OCD. Many people with this disorder understand their obsessions are unrealistic, but feel unable to control them. They come with feelings that things have to always be done the proper way. Some common obsessions are: 1. Dirt, germs, or contamination. 2. Making a mistake. 3. Hostile or violent thoughts. 4. Thoughts about unacceptable behavior. 5. Things that are asymmetrical or imperfect.

An obsession is when a person have images, thoughts, and impulses that take place multiple times, and that person feels that they can’t stop it. Usually, people with OCD have an uncomfortable feeling of doubt, fear, and the feeling that everything has to be right. These obsessions get in the way of daily life activities and are time-consuming. These things will differ, which will rule out whether or not the type of OCD a person has is a psychological or an obsessive compulsive disorder. Some people

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(OCD), according to the American Psychiatric Association, is defined as "an anxiety disorder in which time-consuming obsessions and compulsions significantly interfere with a person’s routine, making it difficult to work or to have a normal social life." (Timothy J. Bruce, Arthur E. Jongsma, Jr. pVIII)This, in layman 's terms, is simply unwanted thoughts, and actions that cause anxiety, impairment, or distress on the job, in relationships and in society. The most common types of OCD (Ian Osborn 1998) are categorized by: Checking, which refers to an intrusive thought that if one does not check, for example, stove knobs, or if the lights are off, that something bad may occur. This leads one to the compulsion to check such things, and in doing so relieves the anxiety one may have about the irrational fear, and "prevents something bad from happening". Next is contamination, which is the fear that illness or contamination will eventually lead to severe illness or death of oneself or loved one. In order to relax such fears, people with Contamination OCD reputedly clean, and wash in order to prevent illness or death. There is also the fear of harming oneself or others. This is the idea that one suffering from this subtype of OCD have a pathological fear that they possess the ability to harm oneself or a loved one, and in order to prevent such a thing, one would act out certain rituals or compulsions. Religious obsessions, this is the overabundance of

obsessive compulsive disorder, often referred to as OCD, is a mental health disorder that may affect people of all gender, age and walks of life. It is a common, chronic and long-lasting mental disorder where the person affected has a series of obsessions and compulsions episodes.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is influenced by neurological factors with symptoms such as repeating steps, continuously washing their hands, and having a fear of objects like germs. Although there is no cure, there are treatments such as medication and therapy that can help lessen the patient’s anxiety and discomfort.