Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Research Paper Example

? Assignment Byline Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a serious psychological disorder which is characterized by obsessive thoughts, impulses, and behaviors. Depending on the severity of the disorder, these particular symptoms can become severe enough to impact a person’s daily quality of life. There are a myriad of treatments for OCD including behavioral therapy pharmacological therapy, group therapy, and cognitive therapy. Each therapy differs in terms of its approach and its effectiveness. Some patients may have to try several therapies before finding the one that will work for them so that they will either be able to manage their symptoms or overcome them completely. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder According to the article entitled “Psychological Disorders,” mental disorders are defined as “health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior associated with distress and/or impaired functioning”(Green, 2003). There are a myriad of different psychological disorders including depression disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders (Green, 2003). Anxiety disorders are considered to be the most common form of mental illness within the United States as over 19 million Americans have been diagnosed with one of several anxiety disorders (Green, 2003). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder that has complex symptoms and methods of treatment which can severely impact a person’s quality of life. According to the article entitled “Associations between miscellaneous symptoms and symptom dimensions in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorders” obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by “intrusive and recurrent thoughts, ideas, impulses, or images (obsessions) and repetitive rituals/compulsions that serve to reduce anxiety”(Storch, et al. 2008). When those that struggle with OCD are unable to perform their rituals, it can increase their anxiety exponentially. There are several common tendencies with people who are diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder including “Contamination/Cleaning, Obsessions/Checking, Symmetry/Ordering, and Hoarding”(Storch, et al. 2008). Common behaviors that are associated with this particular disorder include repetitive washing of hands, repetitive counting, and other similar behaviors that are completed to relieve the build-up of anxiety. However, although there are some uniform symptoms, there are miscellaneous symptoms that differ from person to person; therefore, it is important to note that the disorder can present itself differently from individual to individual. Overall, there is specific criteria that must be met in order to be diagnosed with OCD. Within the article entitled “The Phenomenology of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,” OCD is diagnosed by the elements listed within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(Spitzer and Dieter, 1997). One of the most important factors is that the obsessive behaviors or thoughts cannot be a result of a “substance, drug, or general medical condition(Spitzer and Dieter, 1997). Primarily, within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the two main aspects that make up OCD include obsessions and compulsions. In order to be considered a full blown disorder, the obsessions and compulsions cannot be simply everyday worries, but must be consistent with irrational beliefs and thoughts (Spitzer and Dieter, 1997). The disorder must have also reached the point where it is interfering with the person’s daily life and the general quality of their life (Spitzer and Dieter, 1997). According to an article entitled “Symptoms clusters in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): influence of age and age of onset,” a study was conducted by researching the charts of OCD patients where it was determined that there was no pattern that could be detected in terms of gender as it pertained to the development of this particular disorder(Butwicka and Gmitrowicz, 2008). It is stated however that the type of obsessive compulsive behaviors was impacted by the age that the patient developed the disorder. For example, adolescent OCD patients had a higher frequency of obsessions involving contamination and cleaning, ordering and symmetry, and “religiosity/scrupulousness”( Butwicka and Gmitrowicz, 2008). Adult patients did deal with similar behaviors, but had a higher frequency of “sexual and aggressive obsessions”(Butwick and Gmitrowicz, 2008). Additionally, this particular study found that patients who developed OCD as teenagers or adolescents tended to have a more severe form of this anxiety disorder in comparison to those who develop obsessive compulsive disorder as adults(Butwick and Gmitrowicz, 2008). Within the article entitled “Associations between miscellaneous symptoms and symptom dimensions in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorders,” it is estimated that 2 to 3 percent of people with this disorder will struggle with it throughout their lifetimes as a chronic condition (Storch, et al. 2008). Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is often a very complex process. According to the article entitled “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: treatment and treatment resistance,” there are several approaches that have been taken with treating this particular disorder including behavioral techniques such as desensitization and exposure, pharmacotherapy, cognitive therapies, and neurosurgery(Hood et al, 2001). Pharmacotherapy can be very effective for some patients when treating this disorder. Hood states that “a notable feature of OCD is the specific effectiveness of antidepressants that preferentially inhibit the reuptake of serotonin”(Hood et al, 2001). One drug in particular was deemed to be particularly effective: Clomipramine. However, the article also states that “almost a third of OCD patients treated with EX/RP and/or SRI pharmacotherapy will not respond adequately (Hood, et al, 2001). Therefore, it is important to note that typically the most effective treatment is a combination of several different types of treatment. Exposure and ritual prevention can also be effective in treating the disorder(Hood, et al, 2001). Exposure is a technique where the patient is presented with the element that causes an increase in their anxiety. In conjunction with this exposure, the patient would be kept from completing their compulsions or rituals that would result in the decrease of their anxiety. An example of this particular type of treatment could be a person who struggles with a contamination/cleanliness compulsions. They might be presented with a dirty toilet and forced to utilize it without being allowed to clean the toilet extensively beforehand. This forces the person to confront the source of their anxiety without being allowed to complete the behaviors/rituals that would ease the anxious feelings. Along with medication, this form of treatment can be very impactful in helping a person manage their Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Peter J. Norton and Maureen L. Whittal, authors of the article entitled “Thematic Similarity and Clinical Outcome in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Group Treatment” took a look at how group treatment can have an effect on individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as well. This particular form of treatment is often used, according to Norton and Whittal, as “group-based treatments for anxiety remain popular because of their cost-effectiveness and efficient use of resources (Norton and Whittal, 2004). However, by the end of the study, it was determined that group therapy has limitations and is often inconsistent in terms of its effectiveness. Cognitive therapy techniques are sometimes used when treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as well. According to the article entitled “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Part 2,” which was a part of the Harvard Mental Health Letter, an important aspect of this particular anxiety disorder is a need for control. The person feels that there are so many elements out of their control and that the only control they possess is through their rituals and obsessive behaviors. Therefore, with cognitive therapy techniques, the person needs to develop the belief that their thoughts are solely within their control(Harvard Mental Health Letter, 2005). This process can be effective for those that are dealing with OCD specifically, but is not very effective for those that are struggling with multiple psychological disorders like depression and personality disorders along with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Harvard Mental Health Letter, 2005). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be an extremely debilitating mental illness as the obsessive thoughts, rituals, and behaviors can take over a person’s entire life. Just as the definition for psychological disorder dictates, OCD specifically alters a person’s behaviors, mood, and thinking which leads to a life full of distress and anxiety. A certain percentage may never recover fully from the disorder, but there are many who are able to manage their symptoms through receiving treatment. Based on the evidence, it appears that there are a variety of options in terms of treatment with the most effective being a combination of medication and exposure treatment. There are some people that may choose to not seek out treatment as the anxiety of treatment may prove greater than their current situation. However, by actively seeking treatment, there is a high probability that a person can overcome their obsessive thoughts and behaviors and go on to live a relatively normal life. References Butwicka, A., & Gmitrowicz, A. (2010). Symptom clusters in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD): influence of age and age of onset. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 19(4), 365-370. doi:10.1007/s00787-009-0055-2 Green, K. (2003, September 10). Psychological Disorders. Muhlenberg College. Retrieved July 9, 2011, from http://www.muhlenberg.edu/careercenter/emplguide/psych.html Hood, S., Alderton, D., & Castle, D. (2001). Obsessive–compulsive disorder: treatment and treatment resistance. Australasian Psychiatry, 9(2), 118-127. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Norton, P. J., & Whittal, M. L. (2004). Thematic similarity and clinical outcome in obsessive– compulsive disorder group treatment. Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269), 20(4), 195- 197. doi:10.1002/da.20035 Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Part II. (Cover story). (2005). Harvard Mental Health Letter, 22(5), 1-4. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Spitzer, M., & Sigmund, D. (1997). The phenomenology of obsessive-compulsive disorder. International Review of Psychiatry, 9(1), 7-14. doi:10.1080/09540269775556 Storch, E. A., McNamara, J., Jordan, C., Marien, W. E., Jacob, M. L., Murphy, T. K., & ... Geffken, G. R. (2008). Associations between miscellaneous symptoms and symptom dimensions in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anxiety, Stress & Coping, 21(2), 199-212. doi:10.1080/10615800701885369 Read More