Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Issues - Research Paper Example

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Introduction Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a situation in an individual that is brought by a mental disorder where an individual is deeply worried about the outcome of the future. Similarly, the mental disorder is owing to the fear of any upcoming events. Under such circumstances, the affected individual will behave in an unusual manner. In most of the time, the affected individuals will be uneasy (Cunningham, 2013). This reaction deems to reduce the anxiety that is linked to the disorder. Apparently, an obsession is stated as an unpleasant thought that a person feels. Similarly, the person may have an image, or an unpleasant feeling that instigates the person to worry excessively. Although many researches show that an obsession is a feeling that describes something a person desperately needs, in the case of Obsessive-compulsive disorder, the feeling is not the same. The affected person feels unpleasant, and when fear is extreme, the person will feel frightened. On the converse, at times, people may feel the unpleasant feeling of having to redo an activity in their daily lives (Zohar, 2012). For instance, some people may feel that they have not locked their door to their house. As such, they will go back and recheck, to ensure the door is locked. On the other hand, people that have this disorder will feel utterly affected in their daily lives. The obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors affect the person adversely, as the concentration of the individual is affected. Similarly, the fear in an individual overwhelms the conduct of the individual, which leads to unusual behavior. Causes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Scholars have generally agreed that Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a situation that is caused by both biological and psychological factors, as they have a role in the disorder (Steketee, 2012). However, scholars differ in particular stages. The most outstanding difference between the scholars is the degree in which each of the biological and psychological factors takes precedence. Psychological Causes There are various documented causes of the condition from different perspectives. First, some psychologists state that Obsessive-compulsive disorder emanates from an evolutionary advantage. It is stated that some of the compulsive behaviors are owing to a change in the moderate behavior of an individual, through evolution. As such, people that are affected with Obsessive-compulsive disorder have an evolutionary advantage over others. Such people will be obsessed with various approaches to life, especially when the aspects are affecting their lives. Such people will be utterly sensitive to some actions and conditions in life. As such, they will expose compulsive behavior filled with anxiety. For instance, some people that have the evolutionary advantage will be utterly obsessed with their hygiene (Steketee, 2012). As such, they will continue enhancing their hygiene, even when they are clean. Similarly, in this aspect, it is stated that the individuals will scout the environment for individuals. As such, they will be utterly vigilant in the environment, as they do not want to encounter anything that will hurt them. It is stated that Obsessive-compulsive disorder may be owing to a chain of predisposing genes that enhance such behavior. Biological Causes According to scholars in the biological field, Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition that is brought by abnormalities. When neurotransmitter serotonin has an abnormality, there is a high chance that the individuals will be affected. Apparently, scholars have stated that this could be either the cause of the condition, or the effect of the condition. Scholars state that serotonin is a transmitter in the human being that controls and regulates anxiety. Serotonin plays a major role in that, before chemical messages are sent from one neuron to another, serotonin has to bind the receptors, which are in the neighboring nerve cells (Rompella, 2009). In their explanations, scholars state that the serotonin receptors in patients that have Obsessive-compulsive disorder are under-stimulated. This can be evidently proved by the fact that patients that suffer from Obsessive-compulsive disorder are given inhibitors, which try to stimulate serotonin. The inhibitors ensure the nerve cells in the brain have an easy access to the serotonin. Biologists state that Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition that emanates from a genetic mutation. This is a hereditary condition, which has been proven. Scholars have stated that gene mutation rearranges the chemical combination of various functional parts of the body. As such, the individual will have an unusual behavior, as the functional parts and organs do not execute their roles properly. As a fact, biologists discovered that the OCD is a condition that is hereditary from one family member to the kin. For instance, asset of twins were discovered with OCD (Steketee, 2012). This shows that they both got the disorder from the same point, while growing as fetuses. Similarly, it is stated that, individuals that exhibit the OCD will have immediate family members who exhibit the same behavior. Therefore, it is evident that at some point, the disorder is passed from one generation to another. However, the degree is variant, as people exhibit different behaviors. Neurotransmitters Researchers are still in constant research in concern to the actual cause of OCD. This has led to intensive study of the human brain’s reaction to several factors, especially the genetic influence, environmental factors, and brain differences. This has led to an intensive study of brains of people who have been diagnosed with OCD. According to the research, it was noted that people that have been diagnosed with OCD have a strata of brain activities, which is different from people that do not have the condition. As such, the two different circuits are incomparable. Specifically, the scholars state that the stratium, which is the circuitry in some parts of the brain, may be the ostensible cause of the disorder. Differences in other parts of the brain may also be the reason for the disorder (Rompella, 2009). In proving this fact, the scholars have reconsidered the unusual dopamine and serotonin levels of activity in the brain. With such a difference in the functionality and activity of the brains, it is evident that neurotransmitters are responsible for the difference in behavior, as their functionality is not similar. Symptoms and Signs People with OCD have varying signs; however, some signs are generally exhibited in people with the condition. To begin with, the people with OCD have unending thoughts and images (Cunningham, 2013). Most of these images and thoughts revolve around fear for germs, intruders, or dirt. Similarly, they have recurring thoughts of acts of violence, hurting the people they love, conflicting religious beliefs and sexual acts. In some incidences, the affected individuals will exhibit the character of being overly tidy at all times. Secondly, the affected individuals often concentrate on the same activities over time. For instance, some people will wash their hands periodically, while others keep locking and unlocking doors. Similarly, some people whom are affected with the condition keep checking the security systems, to make sure they are in working conditions. On the other hand, some affected individuals keep counting their belongings. This is a repeated exercise over time. Thirdly, some individuals are characterized with the behavior of spending time deeply engaged in their thoughts and rituals (Leatherdale, 2013). This is done on a daily basis. Fourthly, the affected individuals do not have control over their unwanted thoughts or their behavior. As such, they always engage in weird behaviors and thoughts. Lastly, the affected individuals get relief from the thoughts, which is a relief from the excessive anxiety. Apparently, it is stated that they do not get pleasure from association with such rituals and behavior. According to research, it is noted that OCD affects over 2 million Americans. It is also noted that a third of adults with OCD develop the symptoms during their childhood. Since scientists state that it runs in the family, many of the affected persons are born with the condition. As such, it is not easy to note change of behavior in a person, as the peers, friends, and acquaintances get used to the condition. Management and Treatment A number of methods have been developed in treating and managing Obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, the most common avenues of managing the disorder are psychotherapy and medication (Cunningham, 2013). In some instance, both methods are used for effective management. Psychotherapy People diagnosed with Obsessive-compulsive disorder have a stratum of behaviors in their daily lives. This is an uncontrollable situation, as they do not have personal control in concern to their behavior. However, scientists have discovered the psychotherapy, which involves a therapy to control cognitive behavior (Leatherdale, 2013). In this aspect of treatment, the affected person is taught different ways of thinking and reacting to situations. As such, they are also taught on how to behave when encountering such situations. This is an avenue of ensuring the affected persons do not have the excessive anxiety of fear in any situation. The prevalent therapy used in treating such a condition is the exposure and response prevention. This therapy is effective in reducing the behavior of the affected person, especially the compulsive behavior. Medication Doctors in the field of Obsessive-compulsive disorder have various prescriptions in treating the disorder. Most doctors prescribe antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication to the affected persons (Zohar, 2012). While some of these medicines may take a long time, some of them start working immediately. However, children and teenagers need specialized advice from practitioners, since depressants can affect their lives. In conclusion, Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition that affects a substantive number of people in the world. Owing to its varying causes, this condition can affect any person in the world, especially when not inherited from the family. Apparently, the weird behavior can be a menace to many people that do not understand the condition. However, with the consistent research in concern to the condition, many treatment avenues are emerging. This innovation has helped many people deal with the situation. References Cunningham, B. (2013). OCD and me: My unconventional journey through obsessive compulsive disorder. Leatherdale, L. (2013). Hoarding, hoarders and OCD obsessive compulsive disorder explained: Symptoms, causes, treatments, signs, types, help, behavior and cure all covered. S.l.: IMB Publishing. Rompella, N. (2009). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: The ultimate teen guide. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press. Steketee, G. (2012). The Oxford handbook of obsessive compulsive and spectrum disorders. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Zohar, J. (2012). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current science and clinical practice. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. Read More