Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Essay

Obsessive compulsive disorder, or ODC when shortened, is an anxiety disorder in which the sufferer has many unwanted obsessions often with many repetitive compulsions. The National Institute of Mental Health says “People with OCD may be plagued by persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals.” People suffering from this disorder are frequently washing their hands and keeping things in order. While the exact cause of this disorder is still unknown to scientists. This disorder is believed to have its roots in psychological problems often developed during childhood. Obsessive compulsive disorder is a problem that can be found almost all places around the globe and can be found in almost

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that is the fourth most common mental illness in the U.S. (8). OCD affects five million Americans, or one in five people (3). This is a serious mental disorder that causes people to think and act certain things repetitively in order to calm the anxiety produced by a certain fear. Unlike compulsive drinking or gambling, OCD compulsions do not give the person pleasure; rather, the rituals are performed to obtain relief from the discomfort caused by obsessions (2). OCD is more common than schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or panic disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (6). This disorder can be therapeutically treated, but not cured.

Firstly, psychological therapy, also called psychotherapy, treats the patient through exposure, group therapy, hypnotherapy, and response prevention to get help rid of compulsions and/or obsessions deep within a person’s conscious. Exposure involves exposing a patient to the stimuli that cause anxiety for a long period time over repeated times. Group therapy is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous involving patients suffering similar symptoms or who are under the same type of obsession or compulsion. This treatment is meant to help others with the illness and learn more about their condition. Hypnotherapy involves a hypnotist and the patient and the hypnotist will try to rid of the patient’s obsessions or compulsions while under hypnosis. Response prevention aims at helping the patient to avoid from performing tasks compulsively. Finally, drug use is believed by professionals to be successful at treating patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Since one of the causes for the disorder is lack of serotonin, antidepressants recuperate the lost serotonin, such as clomipramine, amitriptyline, imipramine, and much more. Despite all of these treatments available, a person is always capable of

There are several different options of treatment for someone with OCD. Some of the options are drug

Obsessive compulsive disorder are most effectively treated with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and/or medication. The class of typically prescribed medications are called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). The most effective treatments are Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is a type of CBT.

The anxiety (nervousness) of this disorder causes the individual to feel the urgent need to perform certain routines or rituals (compulsion) (Chakraburtty, 2009). For example, a person who has an unreasonable germ fear constantly washes their hands (Chakraburtty, 2009). The rituals are performed in an attempt to prevent or make the obsessive thoughts go away (Chakraburtty, 2009). The rituals that are performed are temporarily the person will perform the rituals again once his or her obsessive thoughts return (Chakraburtty, 2009).

Some triggers can be the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, divorce, and changes in living situations, work problems or any deeply stressful situation. A biological cause involves an imbalance of a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are perhaps the most well-established link between the brain and OCD. Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter that transmits information from one nerve to another throughout the brain. It is released by one synapse (nerve ending), crosses a gap, and is picked up by another synapse. After a message is sent, enzymes in the brain clean serotonin out of the synapses. Drugs used to treat OCD, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), increase and sustain serotonin levels and reduce or eliminate symptoms of OCD.

There are two treatment options for people with OCD: therapy or drugs. While some literature has argued for the benefits of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and psychosurgery, they are no longer popular options for those with OCD, since they have proven more harmful than good. The same goes for treatment with drugs since it relies on paper cooperation, comes with side effects, and does not last once the patient stops taking

One mental health disorder that remains of interest to me would be obsessive compulsive disorder. This ailment causes individuals to compulsively feel the need to repeat a certain task numerous times in a row to halt unwanted thoughts, feelings, ideas or sensations. If someone with OCD fails to relieve this state of mind by completing their task, they often feel immense anxiety and occasionally even physical pain. This is due to the fact that the disorder causes those who suffer from it to believe there will be atrocious consequences to follow if they do not. These tasks can range from feeling the need to constantly wash your hands, touch things in a certain way, organize everything very precisely or counting things repeatedly. When a person caves to the pressure the disorder places on them by carrying out the behaviors to rid themselves from then obsessive thoughts, it only provides

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD causes people to suffer in silence and secrecy and can destroy relationships and the ability to work. It may bring on shame, ridicule, anger, and intolerance from friends and family. Although it has been reported in children, it strikes most often during adolescence or young adult years. The illness can affect people in any income bracket, of any race, gender, or ethnic group and in any occupation. If people recognize the symptoms and seek treatment, OCD can be controlled.

Although there is no actual cure for OCD, there are medications available to help reduce the symptoms. In addition, support groups and individual talk therapy are helpful: It is nice to meet with others who can understand how Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can affect one’s life."

After diagnosis, parental action, and acceptance by the child, treatment can begin.one get treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most efficient treatment for OCD. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches a child different way to behave. There is scientific evidence that this form of therapy causes chemical reactions in the brain. A person who uses this therapy will undergo chemical changes in the brain and feel relief from their symptoms of OCD (Schwartz 1996). A child with OCD needs to understand that they get recurring thoughts and need to learn how to stop it. Cognitive behavioral therapy weakens the link between obsessive thoughts, compulsions and anxious thoughts which make them have relief (March & Mule, 1998). Cognitive

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a disease that many people know of, but few people know about. Many people associate repeated washing of hands, or flicking of switches, and even cleanliness with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), however there are many more symptoms, and there are also explanations for those symptoms. In this paper, I will describe what obsessive compulsive disorder is, explain some of the effects of it, and explain why it happens. I will also attempt to prove that while medication doesn’t cure OCD, it vastly improves one’s quality of life. Furthermore I intend to show that behavior therapy (cognitive based therapy) is another useful tool in helping a person to overcome their OCD.

     Treatment for such individuals may be to start with housecalls until they can make their way down to the office. Other treatment’s are positive self-talks like saying "I can do this and nothing is going to happen to me." Behavioral therapy where the patient has a "safe person"(someone they trust) go out places with them. Therapy (group and individual)are effective. Medications can also help but there may be some withdrawal symptoms when they come off it.

The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is hard to diagnosis. On average, people with OCD see three to four doctors and spend over 9 years seeking treatment before they receive a correct diagnosis. Studies have also found that it takes an average of 17 years from the time OCD begins for people to obtain appropriate treatment. (11/28, http://www.ocfoundation.org/ocf1010a.html). Since OCD is hard to diagnosis treatment is trial and error, or based on past patients.