Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Always checking the door to make sure it is locked or the oven to make sure it is off? Or washing your hands constantly? You might have a psychological disorder known as an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It has recently been found that 2.2 million Americans have been tested and diagnosed with OCD and is a common disorder affecting 1-3% of children and adolescents (Thomsen 5). OCD is known to be hereditary and the symptoms may spread out and begin to get worse at different times (Thomsen 2). So what is OCD? What causes it, what are the treatments and symptoms of this behavior? How this disorder can affect a human’s life? I will answer all these questions throughout this paper. OCD is an anxiety disorder that describes someone with either obsessive thoughts or compulsive behavior or with both (Thomsen 1). Anybody with this psychological disorder have thoughts and a repetitive behavior going on in their head that they cannot stop; all these thoughts can result to a highly anxiety disorder. Obsessions can result to the compulsions that are also repetitive behaviors (“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Part II” 2). There are different kinds of obsessions one person has, but the most common are fear of contamination, fear of behaving in a socially unacceptable manner, need for exactness, and fear of making a mistake. The most common compulsions are cleaning, constantly checking things; such as making sure the door is locked, ordering, and avoidance (“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Part II” 2). Less than 20% of people have obsessions or compulsions and at least 80 % of people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions (Bakalar 3). OCD can range from the age of preschool to an adult, but usually by age 40. It has been found that i... ... middle of paper ... ...st effective for someone suffering with an obsessive compulsive disorder. With this drug there is certain side effects including; dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, and weight gain. OCD is known to require higher doses than depression does, which the antidepressants take longer to kick in. Some patients prefer drug treatment rather than behavior therapy because it is expensive and more challenging. Psychotherapy could be another option as a treatment and is very rare and a last resort for some patients (Bakalar 2-3). Works Cited Bakalar, J. (2005). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Part II. Harvard Mental Health Letter, 22(5), 1-4. Thomsen, P. (2012). Obsessive-compulsive disorders. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 22, 1-5. doi: 10.1007/s00787-012-0357-7 (1998). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Part II. Harvard Mental Health Letter, 15(5), 1-7.

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