Kevin Johnson
Field Paper 1
Psychology 100
Obsessive Compulsive disorder is a psychological illness that causes an individual to be either obsessive, compulsive, or both. In this illness obsessiveness could mean a recurring image, thought, or impulse a person is having that can create anxiety, or cause the person to be uncomfortable. The compulsive aspect could be interpreted to mean the need or the compulsion to repeat a certain behavior or action. Though there are occurrences where one or the other are presented typically the two aspects, compulsion and obsessiveness, are intertwined. For example a person could have the obsessive need to knock on a door a certain amount of times, or have the compulsion to wash their hands every twenty minutes. The symptoms of this disorder range with the severity. There are cases where Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (or OCD) that do not harm an individual or cause any difficulties in everyday life. There are other cases in which a person would need considerable amounts of treatment in order to function and complete everyday activities with minimal difficulties. OCD symptoms can be split into two different categories: Obsessions and Compulsions. The Obsession symptoms are the symptoms that deal with the mind. These are the images or urges that a person can have that can cause anxiety, distress, or discomfort. The obsession symptoms of OCD are usually repeated and can be unwanted. The symptoms of obsessions tend to have a common theme to them. For example a person may have an obsession of cleanliness that has the individual become uncomfortable when they are exposed to things or places that are contaminated or dirty. The fear of contamination/dirt is a common theme with this disorder as in the example above. Other themes of that are in OCD cases are impulsive organizing in a symmetrical and orderly way, aggressive thoughts of self-harm or hurting others, and unwanted thoughts or urges involving forms of aggression, sexual content, or religious subjects. These themes come with signs and symptoms of their own. One may constantly doubt themselves by questioning actions they have claimed to do, feel numerous amounts of stress when things are moved or not facing a certain way, repeatedly conjure thoughts about screaming obscene words or acting crudely, avoid situations that cause obsessions, or become distressed when sexual or religious reoccur in the mind. An individual may try to rid these obsessions by performing actions that can become repetitive or compulsive. The compulsions that come with OCD are behaviors that are repeated that a person feels a need to perform. The compulsions that the individual keeps performing are meant to relieve the person from the anxiety or stop them from doing something harmful to either themselves or other people. The compulsions that come from the obsessions tend to bring no sense of pleasure, and sometimes release stress or relieve anxiety but only for a short time. There are cases in which the compulsions that the afflicted have are a set of guide lines or rituals that are meant to control ones anxiety or thoughts. Though most of the compulsions are not connected rationally to the event that they are trying to prevent. Like the obsessions, compulsions also follow patterns or themes. Some of these themes include washing/cleaning, counting, checking, demanding reassurance, a strict routine that must be followed, and being orderly. The signs that come with these symptoms include the washing of hands until skin becomes raw, checking stoves or doors to make sure they are properly secured, counting in patterns particular to the individual, silently repeating a phrase to one’s self, or arranging items in a certain way. These themes and signs start gradually for the most part and could change in severity throughout a person’s life-cycle. The compulsiveness of this disorder generally become worse when an individual becomes more stressed than they are used to dealing with. This compulsion that comes with OCD can become severe and time-consuming enough that it can seem disabling. Only when these symptoms of compulsion and obsession affect the quality of life, should they contact a doctor. Although there is no cure for OCD, there are a few treatments that help people control/cope with their disorder so that they can function in daily activities. Psychotherapy is the most recommended of the choices there are to offer, but there are other options such as medication and deep brain stimulation (DBS). A type of psychotherapy, expose and response therapy, seems to be the most effective treatment for OCD. This involves a gradual exposure to a feared object, image, or thought and having an individual learn healthy ways to deal with their anxiety. This method takes time and effort but can increase the quality of life one a method is learned on managing the compulsions and obsessions. If psychotherapy does not work alone, medications would be used simultaneously or by themselves. Doctors usually try antidepressants first in order to help control the obsessions and compulsions a person is having. These medications could include Anafranil, Luvox CR, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. There can be some risk involved with taking medication such as harmful side effects to the user such as symptoms becoming worse, suicidal thoughts, and deathly interactions with other substances including other medication, minerals, vitamins, and herbal supplements. If medication and psychotherapy don’t work on the afflicted then a doctor may suggest deep bran stimulation. The effectiveness of this treatment has not been fully tested on whether it can properly treat OCD. An individual should be sure to look at all sides of deep brain stimulation before proceeding with this form of treatment including the health risks that could come of it. If one or combinations of these treatments work, the management should be under control increasing the quality of life.