Cognitive behavioral factors in obsessive compulsive disorder - Thesis Example

?Cognitive behavioral factors in obsessive compulsive disorder 0 Introduction 1 ment of the Problem and Background to the Study In the absence of concrete conclusions on the causes of obsessive compulsive disorder however, researchers have still managed to make head way in identifying possible treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, based on logical assumption of where and how the problem originates. The Life Extension Organization (2011) for instance documents that “a combination of environmental, cognitive, and biological factors appears to be involved.” In this research work, attention will be given to the role of cognitive behavioral factors in the existence of obsessive compulsive disorder. 1.2 Purpose of the Study 1. To identify and critically diagnose various diagnostic criteria for obsessive compulsive disorder. 2. To examine the cognitive behavioral symptoms displayed by patients with obsessive compulsive disorder. 3. To identify how knowledge of the cognitive behavioral factors accounting for the causes of obsessive compulsive disorder can contribute in finding treatment to the disorder. 1.3 Research Questions 1. How do the diagnostic criteria associated with obsessive compulsive disorder; thus compulsions and obsessions differ in different people and what causes different degrees of compulsive and obsessive behaviors? 2. What are the cognitive behavioral symptoms displayed by patients with obsessive compulsive disorder? 3. How should knowledge of the cognitive behavioral factors accounting for the causes of obsessive compulsive disorder be channeled to finding treatment to the disorder. 2.0 Theoretical Basis of Research Topic and Background Literature 2.1 Diagnostic Criteria for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder The National Institute of Mental Health (2011) explains that “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions).” This means that the disorder is made up difference diagnostic criteria namely compulsions and obsessions. By and large, patients may display one of the diagnostic criteria or both. The Psych Central (2010) differentiates the two diagnostic criteria according to different reasoning. First, they associate obsessions to recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges or images and explain further that such thoughts, urges or images are not just excessive worries about actual problems (Psych Central, 2010). To this end, the Association documents that “individuals make attempts to suppress or ignore these thoughts, urges or images or to neutralize them by engaging in other behaviors or thoughts” (Psych Central, 2010. With reference to compulsions, the Life Extension Organization (2011) explains that patients are engaged in both repetitive behavior and mental act. 2.2 Cognitive Behavioral attributes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Cognitive behavioural factors suspected be causes of obsessive compulsive disorder are linked to the brain and how it functions. Serotonin deficiency in the brain has also been implicated in anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders (Life Extension, 2011). Because of this, early researchers attributed serotonin as the most outstanding cognitive implication to obsessive compulsive disorder. Current research has however come to establish that “A deficiency of serotonin (a neurotransmitter in the brain that assists with the transmission of electrical messages among nerve cells) has been proposed as at least a partial explanation” to the problem (Life Extension, 2011). These discrepancies in research findings not withstanding, there remain one fact and that is a person’s cognition has role to plan in obsessive compulsive disorder. What research has not been able to establish is the degree of contribution or the specific aspect of the brain to blame. 2.3 Other Health Implications of OCD The worse of the side effects perhaps have to do with the revelation by Life Extension (2011) that “As many as two-thirds of people who have OCD suffer from additional psychiatric conditions.” What is tricky about these additional psychiatric conditions apart from the individual adverse effects they bring to the patient is that they make it extremely difficult for health experts to distinguish obsessive compulsion disorder from other health problems. This is because some of the additional psychiatric conditions are given as “depression, eating disorders, personality disorder, attention deficit disorder, and other anxiety disorders (e.g., social phobia, separation anxiety disorder)” (Life Extension Organization, 2011). Surprisingly, all these additional psychiatric conditions have linkages with cognition and therefore call for continual studies into finding clear distinctions between obsessive compulsive disorders and other health implications. 2.4 Cognitive Behavioral Based Non-Pharmaceutical Approaches to Treating OCD 200 There are both pharmaceutical approaches and non-pharmaceutical approaches in tackling obsessive compulsive disorder. Cognitive behavioral factors however back non-pharmaceutical approaches to treating obsessive compulsive disorder than pharmaceutical approaches. Even with non-pharmaceutical approaches, there are some interventions that do not have direct relation with cognitive behaviors. Examples of these are given as nutritional interventions, where by Inositol, L-theanine, St. John’s wort and Tryptophan (Life Extension Organization, 2011). Typical cognitive behavioral based non-pharmaceutical for obsessive compulsive disorder include psychotherapy where “exposure and response prevention (ERP), appears to have long-lasting effects and to work best in patients who are highly motivated and have a positive attitude about treatment” (Life Extension Organization, 2011). Research also endorses the use of exercise as (Soto, 2008) explains that “exercise releases chemicals which help to relieve stress and other chemicals that make you feel good. And increase self esteem and this psychologically will help you in becoming OCD free.” Finally, Relaxation techniques are highly recommended. 3.0 Methodology 3.1 Research Design The research design to be used for the research shall be a controlled experiment to prove or disprove the general theories and hypothesis associated with the use of cognitive behavioral based non-pharmaceutical interventions to treat obsessive compulsive disorder. 3.2 Sample and Sampling Technique Purposive sampling technique shall be used to select fifty (50) OCD patients. These fifty (50) patients shall be divided into two equal numbers where one group shall be the control group and the other the experimental group. 3.3 Data Collection Procedure Data collection shall be collected via the application of cognitive behavioral based non-pharmaceutical interventions on the experimental group. This will be used to collect data pertaining to the effect and improvement that the use of the cognitive behavioral based non-pharmaceutical interventions as against the experimental group who will receive pharmaceutical based interventions. The procedure shall be given daily and will occur over a four-to-six-week period depending on the rate of achievability of results. 3.4 Secondary Data Collection Secondary data shall be collected via the use of literary works on the topic of study. The secondary data collection shall be necessary in making the qualitative interpretation and analysis of data easier. 3.5 Data Analysis Plan Data analysis shall employ both qualitative and quantitative methods. REFERENCE LIST Family Caregiver Alliance (2010). Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Retrieved October 8, 2011 from http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=570 Life Extension Organization (2011). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved October 10, 2011 from http://www.lef.org/protocols/emotional_health/obsessive_compulsive_disorder_01.htm National Institute of Mental Health (2011). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Retrieved October 8, 2011 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/attentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder.html National Institute of Mental Health. (2011). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD. Retrieved October 6, 2011 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml National Institute of Mental Health. (2011). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved October 11, 2011 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obsessivecompulsivedisorder.html Psych Central (2010). Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved October 4, 2011 from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx25.htm Rodriguez-Martin JL, Barbanoj JM, Schlaepfer T, Clos SSC, Perez V, Kulisevsky J, Gironelli A (2002). Transcranial magnetic stimulation for treating depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003493. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003493 Soto D. (2008). Obsessive-compulsive - Using exercise to get rid of anxiety that leads to OCD. Retrieved October 11, 2011 from http://www.ideamarketers.com/?Obsessive-compulsive_-_Using_exercise_to_get_rid_of_anxiety_that_leads_to_OCD&articleid=389747 Wiley - Blackwell (2011). Adult ADHD significantly increases risk of common form of dementia, study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 8, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2011/01/110118092132.htm Read More