preview

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Research Paper

Decent Essays

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Causes and Treatments
The definition of an anxiety disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by distressing, persistent or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety (Myers). This definition includes many disorders such as phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is “an anxiety disorder characterize by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions)” (National Institute of Mental Health [NIHM], n.d.). Obsessive compulsive disorder is most common in teens and young adults and effects two to three percent of adult Americans at some point in their life. …show more content…

Our genes can predispose us to develop anxiety disorders, so OCD can run in families, but no one is certain why some people develop the disorder and others don’t. According to the article What Causes Personality Disorders childhood trauma is said to have an effect on who develops personality disorders. Our interpretation of what is around us plays a large roll on what we see threatening and anxiety inducing. For a person with OCD a tiled floor may turn into a task of not stepping on a crack, or counting the tiles. Natural selection can dictate what a person’s obsessions or compulsions are. While grooming and hand washing are important parts of hygiene they can develop into a compulsion

Get Access