Essay about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Submitted By CourtneyHewlett1
Words: 937
Pages: 4
Open Document
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is a condition that affects more people globally than ever before. It is characterized by the “occurrence of repetitive and distressing intrusive thoughts (obsessions), and compulsive actions and rituals performed to relieve distress or prevent harm related to obsessions” (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Today it affects approximately 2.3% of the United States population, aged 18 to 54, and about 1 million children and adolescents (National Health Institute of Mental Health, 2006). As one of the leading psychological disorders today, psychologists and scientists alike are increasing their efforts in research to gain a better understanding of the disorder.

According to the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (or the DSM-IV), obsessive-compulsive disorder is defined by many different parameters. The diagnosis of the disorder is contingent upon whether the individual meets several different criteria for both compulsions and obsessions. Firstly, compulsions are defined, more simply, as recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images one that experiences are recognized as excessive, irrational, and disrupting to one’s life. Compulsions on the other hand are described as the repetitive behaviors or mental acts one feels compelled to do in accordance with one’s obsessions. It emphasizes that the individual must recognize the obsessions or compulsions as excessive or unreasonable, and that they interfere significantly with one’s daily life. As with many others defined in the manual, if the individual experiences another “Axis I” disorder simultaneously, the substance of the compulsions and obsessions are not limited to that one disorder. Finally, the disorder may not be the direct result of psychological substances or a different medical circumstance (DSM-IV). In addition to the lengthy diagnostic conditions associated with this disorder, there are also a number of categories to which a person affected can fall into. The first group, “washers,” are those whom fear contamination. These individuals often have cleaning or hand-washing compulsions. The next group is “checkers,” who repeatedly check things they associate with being harmful or dangerous. “Doubters and sinners” are those who are afraid that if everything isn’t perfect or done just right something terrible will happen or they will be punished. The group of “counters and arrangers,” consist of those who are obsessed with order and symmetry. These individuals may have superstitions about certain numbers, colors, or arrangements. The last group, “hoarders,” fear that something bad will happen if they throw anything away. They often compulsively hoard things that they do not need, use, or even have the appropriate space for. In addition are those who are have overly aggressive obsessions, physically violent or verbally abusive, and those who are hypersexually imaginary, who have frequent excessively pornographic thoughts. As a large portion of those with mental disorders are affected by OCD, more emphasis is being placed on research of the disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can have astronomical effects on an individual’s life. “Up to 70% of people report problems with family relationships, and more than half report interference with social and work relationships” (Koran 2000; Hollander 1997; Koran 1996; Calvocoressi 1995). Beginning to show signs of onset between ages 6 and 15 for males and 20 to 29 for females, the progression is most often fairly gradual. Most individuals experience periods of symptom intensity and possible absence, at any given point in time (DSM-IV). The disorder not only affects the individual, it also greatly affects a span of people within their social sphere. As a result much of the focus remains on the origins of OCD, namely the genetic association.
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), is a mental illness. OCD is a common anxiety disorder that affects a person to repeat thoughts, actions, or rituals repetitively. What a person may repeat is usually very unusual and bizarre. This illness ranges from not affecting a person a whole lot, to being so severe that they spend the majority of the day dealing with their compulsive actions. This illness does not go away by itself but can be treated. OCD is usually centered around themes. Such…

Words 456 - Pages 2

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Essay

and 1 in 100 children have OCD (beyondocd.org). Obsessive compulsive disorder is anxiety disorder characterized by persistent intrusive ideas, thoughts, impulses or images which often result in performing compulsive rituals over and over again (cmha.ca). According to the World Health Organization, OCD is one of the top 20 causes of illness-related disability for individuals between 15 and 44 years of age (beyondocd.org). Obsessive compulsive disorder can vary from mild cases to very severe, where…

Words 978 - Pages 4

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Analysis

There are also Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder related disorders such as; Hoarding, Excoriation, Trichotillomania, and Body Dysmorphic. Hoarding involves compulsive collecting, poor organizations skills, and difficulty discarding. They also have cognitive defects such as information-processing speed, decision making, and prostration. Individuals who suffer with Hoarding disorder begin to feel overcome with uncertainty when throwing items away. It continues to increase to the point that they can’t even…

Words 743 - Pages 3

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Analysis

Introduction: The topic I will be talking about is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This disorder is about the mind and actions that are caused by severe anxiety that the disorder brings upon its victims, these actions are completed in order to try and suppress the anxiety. Everyone experiences random and strange thoughts. Most people are able to release them from their consciousness and carry on with life. For people with OCD these random thoughts do not leave their mind and they are like a brains…

Words 1411 - Pages 6

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Essay

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Alexandra Benedetti Abnormal Psychology Research Paper Have you ever had that strange nauseated feeling when contemplating something in your future? That overwhelming panic that sends your sympathetic nervous system into immediate fight or flight mode is anxiety (hypo…). Anxiety disorders create massive cognitive distress in individuals experiencing them. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder (book). This anxiousness and fear is resolved in bizarre…

Words 1298 - Pages 6

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Essay

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Closer Look Eugene N. Graham Jr. Nova Southeastern University Abnormal Psychology Professor Lori Eickleberry Abstract This paper is a compilation of ideas and a collaboration of articles that give an in depth look at obsessive compulsive disorder. It gives a closer look into the illness and how it has become known to society. It will cover the prevalence of this disorder as well as its causes. This paper will also give a description of the disorder and…

Words 2595 - Pages 11

Cameron Diaz's Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Approximately 3.3 million US citizens have obsessive compulsive disorder in a year. Many well known celebrities, including Cameron Diaz, also have this difficult disorder. “ I think I’ve made my peace with it”, as Cameron Diaz once said. Cameron Diaz overcame the odds and became very successful. She has ocd and “made peace” with it; and has been in about twenty-three movies. Cameron Diaz is a very famous actor. Cameron Diaz was born August 30th, 1972. She began modeling at an early age of 16,…

Words 285 - Pages 2

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Essay

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears called obsessions that lead you to do repetitive behaviors which is referred to as compulsions. OCD often centers on themes. Despite efforts to ignore or get rid of bothersome thoughts, the thoughts or urges keep coming back. This leads to more ritualistic behavior and a vicious cycle that's characteristic of OCD. OCD symptoms usually include both obsessions and compulsions. But it's…

Words 1077 - Pages 5

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Essay

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Abstract Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder that causes unwanted and intrusive thoughts or feelings that cause an individual to feel driven to do something. OCD affects one in every 50 individuals in the United States. Often times, OCD begins in childhood or adolescence and if untreated, will continue into adulthood. This research paper will address the symptoms of OCD and the current counseling techniques used to treat it. Keywords:…

Words 1579 - Pages 7

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder many people have heard about but may not necessarily know about. OCD affects the young and old, as well as the rich or poor, and black or white. Every individual dealing with this disorder copes in a specific way which may be different than the way others cope. This disorder causes many people to become a little paranoid and phobic. OCD does not occur in every person and some obsessions are not looked upon as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. People…

Words 433 - Pages 2