Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Essays (2915 words) -

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- pg. 1 Introduction and Thesis Introduction When I was young, I used to constantly hum one solitary note every few seconds or minutes throughout the day. I also used to glide the tips of my fingers right behind my ear just so I could be assured that my hair was in place. It was almost impossible to avoid. I was continually asked the question, why do you do that, from my classmates and friends. It was sometimes embarrassing. Then one day, my habit disappeared. Today, my cousin R.J. coughs for no reason every minute. My friend Brian V. constantly picks his rear end, only when driving, thinking hes playing it off. Im always told that I pray more than once before eating my meal. My response is, I did? There are many people who have odd or common habits. But there are those who are endlessly encircled by rituals and anxious thoughts called obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (or OCD) is characterized by anxious thoughts or rituals you feel you cannot control. If you have OCD, as it is called, you may be plagued by persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals. You may be obsessed with germs or dirt, so you wash your hands over and over. You may be filled with doubt and feel the need to check things repeatedly. You might be preoccupied by thoughts of violence and fear that you will harm people close to you. You may spend long periods of time touching things or counting. You may be preoccupied by order or symmetry. You may have persistent thoughts of performing sexual acts that are repugnant to you. Or you may be troubled by thoughts that are against your religious beliefs. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- pg. 2 The disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions, and the rituals that are performed to try to prevent or dispel them are called compulsions. There is no pleasure in carrying out the rituals you are drawn to, only temporary relief from the discomfort caused by the obsession. Thesis Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety problem in which people are in severe emotional pain or they are unable to function because of obsessions and compulsions. Richard, a married man with three children has this disorder. In this essay, I will determine the cause of his ordeal and the treatment needed to be utilized based on the numerous information collected from various resources. Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Signs and symptoms frequently associated with obsessive compulsive tendencies or obsessive compulsive disorder can have a variety of symptoms. Symptoms Obsessions These are unwanted ideas or impulses that repeatedly well up in the mind of the person with OCD. 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, 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 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- pg. 3 my child. These thoughts are intrusive, unpleasant, and produce a high degree of anxiety. Sometimes the obsessions are of a violent or a sexual nature, or concern illness. Compulsions The most common of these are washing and checking. Other compulsive behaviors include counting (often while performing another compulsive action such as hand washing), repeating, hoarding, and endlessly rearranging objects in an effort to keep them in precise alignment with each other. Mental problems, such as mentally repeating phrases, listmaking or checking are also common. These behaviors generally are intended to ward off harm to the person with OCD or others. Some people with OCD have regimented rituals while others have rituals that are complex and changing. Performing rituals may give the person with OCD some relief from anxiety, but it is only temporary. Insight People with OCD show a range of insight into the senselessness of their obsessions. Often, especially when they are not actually having an obsession, they can recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are unrealistic. At other times they may be unsure about their fears or even believe strongly in their validity. Resistance Most people with OCD struggle to banish their