OCD does not only hurt the people who have it; it causes damage to their whole family. In her groundbreaking book about people with OCD, psychologist Judith Rapoport told the stories of people that she treated, explaining how the disorder destroyed the ordinary routine, and "distorted the families whole life" (Rapoport, 1989). It is very painful to imagine what OCD doe to the life of someone who suffers from it. .
Until recently, not many people knew OCD was a treatable mental disorder. As of 1989, psychologists had only just learned the staggering number of people, both adolescents and adults who secretly suffered from OCD (Rapoport, 1989). Even ten years later the disorder was still new, but advances were being made in the understanding of it. According to Eric Hollander, a psychologist, they have only in the past fifteen years recognized the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brains of OCD patients, and really seen it as a medical disorder, one that approximately six million Americans share (Hollander, 1999). Finally, at least those six million people know that they are not alone.
Currently, there is no proven cause of OCD, but there are a few strong suggestions. One of them has to deal with a specific neurotransmitter called serotonin. In patients with OCD, there is a problem with the communication between the orbital cortex and the basal ganglia (OCF, 2000). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that relays messages between these two parts of the brain. Many psychologists believe that it is low levels of serotonin that play a key role in the communication problem, and in turn OCD itself (OCF, 2000). Further evidence of this is what happens to the brains of those patients who saw their OCD fade after taking serotonin medication. Pictures of a working brain of one such patient "show that the brain circuits involved in OCD return to normal (OCF, 2000)." Unfortunately, an OCD diagnosis is not an easy one to make.
If people recognize the symptoms and seek treatment, OCD can be controlled. OCD plagues people with intrusive, unwanted thoughts or obsessions, which are rarely pleasant. ... These behaviors generally are intended to ward off harm to the person with OCD or others. ... People with OCD usually have considerable insight into their own problems. ... OCD affects as many as 2 percent of all Americans. ...
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that can be disabling to a persons life. Someone who suffers from OCD can become trapped in repetitive thoughts and behaviors that are seemingly senseless. OCD can occur in a varying degree, from mild to severe.... Therefore it can seem plausible that OCD is not caused by a neurochemical imbalance.... Both ideas are used today as a major part in treating OCD. ...
Many people without OCD experience these obsessions, but in a different way. People without OCD may experience these obsessions momentarily and then move on. ... People with OCD typically have a difficult time throwing things away. ... People with OCD may be very reluctant to work with a group or team. ... There are two main treatments for OCD: psychotherapy and medications. ...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Outline Thesis: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness characterized by the presence of recurrent, unwanted ideas or impulses (obsessions) and an urge or compulsion to do something to relieve the discomfort caused by the obsession. I. Four primar...
OCD was once thought to be rare. It is now estimated that up to 3 percent of the U.S. population may suffer from OCD at some point in their lives (about 5 million people). The disorder usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood, but it may also occur in childhood. OCD is characterized by recu...
The key features of OCD are obsessions and compulsions. ... OCD occurs on a continuum from mild to severe. ... What is OCD The key features of OCD are obsessions and compulsions as stated in DSMIV. ... How Prevalent is OCD For many years, mental health professionals thought of OCD as a rare disease because only a small minority of their patients had the condition. ... The survey showed that OCD is more commo...
Quirky behavior or something more serious? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD affects nearly two to three percent of the U.S. population. OCD affects both males and females, but males start to show signs of OCD at an earlier age, between the ages of six and fifteen, while in females it tends t...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Outline Thesis: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness characterized by the presence of recurrent, unwanted ideas or impulses (obsessions) and an urge or compulsion to do something to relieve the discomfort caused by the obsession. I. Four primar...
OCD strikes people of all ethnic groups, both male and female. ... There is no single, proven cause of OCD, but research suggests that OCD involves problems in communication between the front part of the brain and deeper structures. ... Left untreated, OCD usually grows worse as patients age. ... Behavioral psychotherapists are a good option for the treatment and management of the OCD. ... The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation provides a forum for people with OCD and professionals interested in OCD. ...
