FREE ESSAY ON OCD

OCD

What is Obsessive-compulsive disorder? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the
anxiety disorders and is potentially disabling condition according to national institute
of mental health, NIMH (2000). Individuals with OCD become trapped in a pattern of
repetitive thoughts and behaviors that can be senseless and distressing but are extremely
hard to over come. Such as checking things repeatedly (e.g. doors, locks and stoves),
constant counting either "in ones head" or outwardly, etc. Most of theses obsessions are
persistent fears that harm may come to self or a loved one, or an unreasonable concern
with becoming contaminated, also excessive need for perfection. According to NIMH (2000),
sometimes the obsessions are of a violent or a sexual nature, or concern illness. 
"Although once thought to be rare, OCD afflicts as many as five million Americans or one
in fifty. The disorder is found uniformly in men, women, children and people of all races
and socio-economic backgrounds." (Maidment 1999) According to NIMH (2000), OCD usually
begins in adolescence or early adult hood, it may begin in the early childhood years.
Onset age is earlier in males between ages 6 and 15 years and between ages 20 and 29 in
females. In most cases onset is gradual but some acute onset cases have been noted. 
Most people with OCD struggle to hide their illness for fear of thought of being
"outcast", fear of medication and fear of facing ones fears in behavior therapy. "Usually
people hide their illness because of feeling shame for doing/thinking such bizarre
things" (Susan F, OC foundation, 1999) They are often successful in concealing their
disorder. More often than not they are successful in concealing their
obsessive-compulsive symptoms from friends and co-workers. An unfortunate consequence of
this secrecy is that people usually do not receive professional help until years after
the onset of their disease. By that time, they may have learned to work their lives
around the rituals. 
Treatment for OCD usually comes down to two most effective treatments, which are drug
therapy and behavior therapy. It is common that the most effective of these the two can
be used together. "The most effective medications are the SSRI's (selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors) Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, and Zoloft as well as the Tricyclic
Anafranil." (Saxena, 1999) These medications generally help but decreased symptoms are
any where from 40%-95% success, but each individual is varies. The medications can take
anywhere from six to twelve weeks to start showing effect. According to NIMH (2000) the
primary behavior therapy uses for OCD treatment is exposure and response prevention. This
type is usually most effective. 
Most people with OCD struggle to banish their unwanted, obsessive thought and to prevent
them selves from engaging in compulsive behavior. This resistance can lead to a crippling
disorder, with OCD so sever that time consuming rituals take over the sufferers' lives,
making it impossible for them to continue activities outside the home.