Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Today's society glorifies mental disorders. In the television show Monk, the protagonist, Adrian suffers from severe OCD. Hannelore Ellicot-Chatham in the online comic, Questionable Content, compulsively counts and cleans things because of her disorder. Movies such as K-PAX and Rain Man shine a light on OCD in a realistic view of how severely it can affect a person. Outside of the media attention, many people suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD. There are many important things to know about the disease: causes, symptoms, the kinds of obsessive compulsive disorder, and the different treatments that can be used for it.

The causes of obsessive compulsive disorder are still unknown. However, there are many things that are believed to help cause it. Even though "no genes... have been identified" (About OCD) for OCD, it is believed to be hereditary. In other words, it can be passed from a parent to a child even though they do not know what part of our DNA passes it on. People with low serotonin levels are more likely to have OCD. (2006, November)

Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder my vary from person to person. In some cases, a person may just repeat words or actions. A person with obsessive compulsive disorder many have unpleasant or unwanted thoughts often occur in the mind. Sometimes certain fears can make OCD evident: germs, dirt, bacteria, and of acting immoral are common. The rituals are often done to comfort the person from their fears. (About OCD)

There are many different kinds of OCD that a person can have: checkers, washers and cleaners, orderers, pure obsessionals, hoarders, and scrupulosity. First, the checkers worry "... of being held responsible for possible dangers and catastrophes that may befall on others" (Hyman and Pedrick , 1999) as a result of their behavior. Checkers do not want to be blamed if an accident were to occur because of them being no cautious enough. Often, they will check often if things, such as windows and doors are locked and that kitchen appliance are off, so an accident will not occur. Second, there are the washers and cleaners. "Contamination by dirt, germs, viruses, or foreign substances" (Hyman and Pedrick , 1999) are what cause anxiety in the washers and cleaners. They often clean compulsively in order to keep themselves and others from getting contaminated. In severe cases, they isolate themselves from the world to keep themselves from being infected. Third, orderers are continually organizing certain items. Things must be arranged in a "particular, exact, or "perfect" way" (Hyman and Pedrick , 1999). If an item is misplaced or slightly disturbed, it can easily upset the orderer. Then, pure obsessionals suffer from unwanted or terrifying thoughts and counteract them by doing repetitive things such as "... counting, praying, or repeating certain words" (Hyman and Pedrick , 1999). They may find comfort in doing repetitive behaviors, because it takes their mind off what is bothering them. After that, there are the hoarders. They save often useless objects, having trouble throwing away items that other people see as garbage. Finally, when a person has scrupulosity, they worry about their moral standings. Often, they will consult with others "regarding their moral "purity"" (Hyman and Pedrick , 1999) or pray to help them deal with their disorder. They look to outside forces to see if their behavior is acceptable. Even though there are many different variations of obsessive compulsive disorder, a person can have more than symptoms of just one. They can have the characteristics of each type.

Various treatments can be used to help people suffering from OCD. Clomipramine, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, and fluvoxamine are all types of medicine that are used to treat the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. In addition, there are other ways to help relieve the symptoms besides taking or in addition to medicine. Behavioral therapy can be used to teach people with OCD how to handle their anxiety without doing rituals. Both types of treatment can be helpful to OCD patients. (2006, November) In rare cases, surgery may be necessary on the "nerve fibers that trigger emotional arousal" (Treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)). The cut a small section of the brain to fix the problem when medicine and other techniques do not work.

It is valuable to know the causes, symptoms, the kinds of obsessive compulsive disorder, and the different treatments that can be used for OCD. Even though our society can put diseases in a humorous light, the diseases can be very difficult for the person with the illness to handle it. Life with obsessive compulsive disorder can be challenging, but, with the use of drugs and therapy, people can live normal and productive lives.

Works Cited

About OCD. Retrieved June 6, 2008, from About OCD | Obsessive Compulsive Foundation Web site: http://www.ocfoundation.org/what-is-ocd.html

Hyman, B, & Pedrick , C (1999). The OCD workbook: your guide to breaking free from obsessive-compulsive disorder.Oakland: New Harbinger Publications.

(2006, November). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: what it is and how to treat it. Retrieved June 1, 2008, from FamilyDoctor.org Web site: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/anxiety/133.printerview.html

Treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Retrieved May 26, 2008, from HealthyPlace.com Web site: http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/anxiety/treatment/ocd.asp#Cingulotomy