Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Research Paper

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a common psychological condition that is often misunderstood. Many times this disorder is thought of as a personality trait instead of what is it, which is an acknowledged psychological disorder that affects approximetely 2.2 million Americans, and an estimated 1 in 100 people worldwide.

This disorder frequently first appears in childhood or adolescence, but can affect various age groups, genders and races. Sufferers are overwhelmed with obsessive thoughts that lead to compulsive habits and/or rituals. Some examples would be washing and cleaning repetitively, checking and re-checking, such as locking a door, counting the number of times an activity is performed, and repeating activities until it is done "just right", as well as hoarding. A majority of these actions are based in fear, such as not performing something correctly or not having enough for hoarders, or self-doubt about properly performing a function. Cleaning and washing actions are usually based upon disgust, or fear of illness from germs.

Many people who live with this disorder find the repetition they perform to be distressing and overwhelming and that it frequently interferes with their daily lives. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder sufferers are consumed by obsessive and intrusive thoughts that they can

This activity is centered in the striatum within the basal ganglia, where control of habitual behaviors originate. Studies have also begun using fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) that show changes in the functional connectivity of the striatum and pre-frontal regions. Attempts to help Obsessive Compulsive Disorder sufferers include medications that are commonly used for other psychological disorders, and also behavioral therapy that includes exposure and response