Obsession Compulsive Disorder

OCD:

Obsession Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or commonly known as OCD affects every 1 in 50 adults in the United States and twice that many have had OCD at one point in their life. OCD is a mental disorder in which there is a problem with information processing and an anxiety problem. 4

OCD is essentially an anxiety problem that causes people to be stuck in a state of habit, compulsion and repeating thoughts and behaviors, obsession. Some behaviors and habits cause by OCD may be disabling and may cause the person unable to function in everyday life. Probably the most known instance of OCD by the public is the fear of dirt or germs, in causing the individual to wash their hands many times a day and for long periods of time after touching something and/or something.2

Another common symptom everyone seems to have is the appearance of unwanted or bad thoughts. Examples would be like if you see your boss driving off and you think, “I hope they get in an accident on the way home.” or when you see someone walking down the stairs you hope they fall. Negative thoughts that you don’t necessarily believe or want to happen that occur in your mind. 3

Other common symptoms of OCD are, the fear of; causing harm to another, making a mistake, being embarrassed or acting out of the norm in public, the need for order and exactness, excessive doubt, repeatedly bathing, refusing to shake hands or touch door knobs, eating foods in a specific order, collectively hoarding things.2

OCD affects around 3.3 million adults, and about 1 million children and adolescents in the U.S. alone. OCD affects everyone, men and women alike and people of every origin. It usually starts in childhood to young adults.2

There isn’t a known factor that causes OCD. Many doctors and scientists have found a combination of biological and environmental factors may be involved. Biologically, the brain contains billions of nerve cells called neurons. Neurons must work and communicate together to for the body to function normally. The signals move from neuron to neuron through chemicals using electrical impulses. Research has found a link between OCD and a low amount of one of the chemicals, serotonin in the brain, which is lead to believe that OCD can possibly inherited. OCD is connected with over-activity of a part of the brain called the basal ganglia. Generally there is an over- production of dopamine, which results in low production of serotonin in the brain (the two tend to balance each other). 2

With a low level of serotonin the brain appears to have a disruption in the pathways that connect the area of the brain that deals with judgment and planning, and the part that filters messages involving body movements. Also doctors and scientists have found a link between a certain infection caused by the Streptococcus bacteria and OCD. The infection, if not treated may lead to the development of OCD and possibly other disorders in smaller children.2

Many environmental stresses can lead to OCD. Such as, abuse, changes in living situations, illness, death of a loved one, work- or school-related changes or problems and relationship concerns. Any number of these factors can lead to an individual having anxiety problems, which usually lead to OCD. One doctor gave an example of someone with OCD; someone living in a non-OCD environment may accept $10 to $100 dollars to face a fear or do something out of the norm, someone with OCD may not even accept upwards of $100,000 to do the same thing.1

Obsession-Compulsive Disorder has no set lab test to diagnose people. A doctor or trained professional has to base his/her assessment on the patient’s symptoms, including on how much time he/she spends doing each one.

If untreated OCD will not go away and probably will get worse. These days more than ever, there are many treatments available. There are two types of therapy, Cognitive-behavior therapy and