Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Essay examples

Obsessive compulsive disorder commonly (OCD) can be defined as an anxiety disorder differentiated by acts of compulsiveness or continual thoughts of obsession. Persistent thoughts, images, and desires are characteristics of obsessions. These thoughts, images, and desires are not typically willed into one’s mind as they are often senseless, illogical, aggressive, taboo, etc. Compulsive acts are unrealistic and repetitive behaviors. The fear of contamination with germs, dirt, or grease is the most common obsession, which leads to thoroughgoing or compulsive cleansing rituals. Religion, sex,

| A. Either obsessions or compulsions:Obsessions as defined by (1), (2), (3), and (4):1. Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress2. The thoughts, impulses, or images

OCD follows a pretty typical cycle, in which patients have obsessions that can become triggered, and when they become triggered, the patient feels anxiety. In order to combat that anxiety, they will try to relive it by creating behaviors, called compulsions. The compulsions temporarily provide relief until the obsessions are triggered again. There are a few common types of OCD:

Obsession is a habit brought on by passion and desire; it’s almost as bad as a disease which can eat away at someone. He stated, “Every night I was oppressed by a slow fever, and I became nervous to a most painful degree; a disease that I regretted the more because I had hitherto enjoyed most excellent health, and had boasted of the firmness of my nerves.” (Shelley 1818: pg33). His ambition quickly turned into obsession by his convulsive interest to digging up corpses in the dark of the night to create his monster. He was so blinded by obsession for perfection that he did not see the monstrous beast he was creating until after he created

In the modern world we see many examples of obsessions that are productive and have led people to greatness by their single minded focus on their tasks or goals; however, we also see obsessions that are nonproductive or detrimental to the individual in the form of stalking, drug and alcohol use, or the failure to give up obsessions leading to the demise of their life, family or happiness. Obsession has plagued humanity throughout its history. It has been the downfall of many great leaders and also characters in classic books. In Frankenstein Victor Frankenstein was overwhelmed by an obsession that ended up taking over his life. Through Victor’s obsession for knowledge and to create life, which leads to his demise, it is easy to find the same

Obsession is defined as “A persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling” or “a compelling motivation”. (Merriam-Webster, 2018). Obsession is also where someone becomes infatuated with something or someone where it becomes dangerous. People can lose their sense of reality and only focus on their obsession. It can make their friends or family be negatively affected by their obsession. Wallpaper, Birth Mark, and Gatsby each show how obsession tears someone’s mental state apart.

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).

clearing demonstrating the compulsion that is too often difficult to control, even though it appears

"OCD patients have a pattern of distressing and senseless thoughts or ideas- obsessions- that repeatedly well up in their minds. To quell the distressing thoughts, specific patterns of odd behaviors- compulsions- develop." (Gee & Telew, 1999)

Persistent fears that harm may come to self or a loved one, an unreasonable belief that one has a terrible illness, or an excessive need to do things correctly or perfectly, are common. Again and again, the individual experiences a disturbing thought, such as, "My hands may be contaminated--I must wash them"; "I may have left the gas on"; or "I am going to injure my child." These thoughts are intrusive, unpleasant, and produce a high degree of anxiety. Often the obsessions are of a violent or a sexual nature, or concern illness.

I have always been fascinated with behavioral disorders, especially OCD. I learned about OCD a few years ago when I was reading a medical journal. At first, it seemed like something very odd. The idea that otherwise normal people can do such strange things, and not be able to control themselves was fascinating. I wanted to know more about this topic, which is why I chose to write my paper on it. I thought that by knowing more about the subject, I will be able to better understand how these people’s lives can be literally taken over by their constant worries and anxiety. Also, I think a lot of people exhibit these behaviors and aren’t even aware that they may have a severe problem, and more importantly, that they can be getting help to

A compulsion is brought on by the person obsession. The compulsion is reinforcing to the person with OCD because the compulsion is the behavior or though that the person feel they have to do in order to prevent distress or anxiety or dreaded event. The compulsion doesn’t give the person with OCD pleasure but it a direct response to the obsession. The obsession is considered a intrusive, persistent and uncontrollable thought or urges. “The Obsessions are recurring thoughts, beliefs, or ideas that dominate a person’s mental content. They persist despite the fact that the person may believe they are unrealistic and tries to resist them” (Morrison, 2014). Compulsions are acts (either physical or mental) performed repeatedly in a way that the person

Obsessions are unwanted ideas or impulses that repeatedly well up in the mind of a person with OCD. These are thoughts and ideas that the sufferer cannot stop thinking about. A sufferer will almost always obsess over something which he or she is most afraid of. Common ideas include persistent fears that harm may come to self or a loved one, an unreasonable concern with becoming contaminated, or an excessive need to do things correctly or perfectly. Again and again, the individual experiences a disturbing thought, such as, "My hands may be contaminated -- I must wash them" or "I may have left the gas on" or "I am going to injure my child." These thoughts tend to be intrusive, unpleasant, and produce a high degree of anxiety. Sometimes the obsessions are of a violent or a sexual nature, or concern illness. People with OCD who obsess over hurting themselves or others are actually less likely to do so than the average person. Obsessions are typically automatic, frequent, distressing, and difficult to control or put an end to by themselves. With these reoccurring obsessions continuously being played in the sufferers mind, they start performing repetitive acts that reassure them that their hands aren’t dirty, or the gas for the stove is turned of. This response to their obsession is called a compulsion.

This case study was particularly fascinating in following the life of Karen Rusa and her obsessive compulsion disorder. It is interesting to study her childhood, present life, on-set symptoms she was experiencing, and the treatment she underwent. Though Karen withstood various trials that her OCD and depression effected greatly, I believe she received the best treatment to help her recover.

In a general view, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is associated with obsessions and compulsions. The obsessions are recurrent thoughts, fears, images, ideas, urges, and doubts. Patients suffering from this disorder often go through fluctuating episodes of compulsion which are in response to an obsessive thought, such as arranging, touching, repeatedly checking on something, and recurrent hand-washing. The patient experiences repeated rise in anxiety from the obsessions, that compels them to indulge in their compulsions as a form of relief (Brown University, 2013). Most of the patients suffering