Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Essay -- OCD Essays

Obsessive- unconditional Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that traps people in endless cycles of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Pierre Janet described obsessive-compulsive disorder by using the term psychasthenia. Sigmund Freud described obsessions and compulsions as psychological defenses used to deal with inner and aggressive conflicts in the unconscious mind (Bruce Bower 1987). OCD is also known as The Doubting Disease, because its as though the mind doesnt testify when the person does a certain action, which triggers the source of the obsession (USA Today1995). Unlike most people with anxiety disorders, those diagnosed with OCD argon more obsessed with what will witness to others instead of themselves (Edna Foa 1995). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder occurs in a spectrum from mild to severe. At some point the person will see the actions or thoughts as foolish and senseless. All people have habits and routines, but what makes obsessive-compulsive people different is the fa ct that their obsessions and compulsions interfere with their daily lives (American Family Physician 2000). They spend large amounts of time doing mirthful rituals. The rituals can take hours a day and make the sufferers miserable and doesnt allow them for much of a business or social life (Harvard psychical Health Letter). At one OCD clinic, many had lost years of work to their symptoms. Seventy-five percent said the disorder interfered with their family lives and thirteen percent had attempted felo-de-se (Harvard Mental Health Letter 1998). Phebe Tucker, a psychiatrist at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, explained, the most common obsession is washing hands for fear of contamination. other acts are counting over and over, checking locks, hoarding items such as newspapers or cartons, repeatedly dressing and undressing, and walking in and out of doorways. The thought and behavior patterns are senseless and distressing. They can make it very difficult for a pers on to function properly at work, school, or even at home. Obsessions take the class of doubts, fears, images, or impulses. (Harvard Mental Health Center 1998) Obsessions are unwanted ideas, images, and impulses that run through a persons mind over and over again. They are intrusive, unpleasant and produce high anxiety. (www.lycos.com April 2000) Sometimes the obsessions come once and a while and other... ...ehavioral therapy. Eventually they will overcome their compulsions and be able to control their obsessions. flora CitedKendall, Phillip C. and Constance Hamman. (1998). Abnormal Psychology Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Understanding Human Problems. Boston New YorkOCD What it is and how to treat it. (March 1, 2000). American Family Physician,V61 pg. 1532General Review Obsessive Compulsive Part I. (Oct. 1998) Harvard Mental Health Letter, v15 I 4General Review Obsessive Compulsive Part II. (Nov. 1998) Harvard Mental Health Letter, v15 i5OCD Meds not likely to put back therapy th e challenge is to tailor the right combination of treatments for patient. (Jan. 1997). Behavioral Health Treatment, v2 n1 pg1Begely, Sharon and Nina A. Biddle. For the obsessed, the mind can fix the brain. (Feb. 26, 1996) Newsweek, v127 n9 pg. 60Help for obsessive-compulsive disorder. (aug. 1995). USA Today, v124 pg. 12Foa, Edna B. How do treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder compare?. (July 1995). Harvard Mental Health Letter v12 n1 pg.8Obsessive Compulsive Disorder review of drug treatment. (Sept. 15, 1994). American Family Physician, v50 pg. 831