Psychological Disorder Paper
Erica Vazquez
PSY 450
University of Phoenix

Abstract
This paper will examine the psychological disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and the relationship it has between human development and socialization as well as how human development and socialization affect people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Psychological Disorder Paper
The U.S. National Library of Medicine describes Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as, “ an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (compulsions).” Essentially, the obsessions are the spontaneous and tedious contemplations, while the compulsions are the actions that result from the disorder. Even though OCD is exhibited as recurrent and persistent thoughts and impulses, would it be just to consider every type of compulsive behavior or obsessive thought as OCD? (Shiraev &Levy, 2010) According to Shiraev & Levy, “ Specific repetitive behavior – praying, for example –– should be judged in accordance with the norms of the individual’s culture and should clearly interfere with social role functioning to be diagnosed as OCD (DSM-IV, P. 420) “ (2010, p. 231). With this in mind a more concrete explanation of the relationship between OCD and human development and socialization.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) OCD affects more than 2.3% of the U.S. population. OCD affects everyone on the spectrum from children to adults. This disorder is an “equal opportunity” illness, which refers to the fact that it does not have a preference in gender, age, or ethnic groups. In the past OCD was considered a rare condition, which left sufferers from OCD in the dark and forced to keep their illness a secrete. It was not until recent years that medical professionals announced OCD to be a severe anxiety disorder. That led many people to request treatment. Scientist have not been able to identify the factors that predispose people to the development of OCD. While the diagnosis in adults follows criteria from the DSM –IV– TR modifications need to be made when diagnosing a child, because while older children are able to recognize the unwanted symptoms, it is hard to evaluate many of the younger children, because most children have some rituals such as bedtime rituals, which should not be confused with rituals of OCD.
OCD and Those Living with Symptoms
OCD can have a negative effect and critically harm the educational experience of a school-aged child. The rituals related with the disorder can humiliate a child and can delay their capability to perform properly in school and school related activities. The symptoms of the disorder can cause self – consciousness, which can lead to less socialization as well as less interaction with other children. While there are therapies that help the children with anxiety, it is the affects of social interaction that affects the children. Adults with OCD encounter more stressors that deal with the disorder, besides the daily typical stressors other adults encounter. Adults with OCD constantly have problems keeping relationships because they are constantly late for school or work, are forced to quit a job because of OCD symptoms, have made up excuses or lied as a result of their symptoms and have avoided events they wished to attend. Not only does the adult with OCD suffer through symptoms but their family and friends also are affected. According to OCDCenter.org, “ A study of 225 family members of adult OCD patients identified the most frequent concerns relating to OCD symptoms: Obsessive thoughts, unemployment, ritual behaviors, noncompliance with medication, depression, lack of motivation, excessive arguing. (n.a.) Impact OCD has on Society The impact OCD has on society is immense. OCD lead to social and economic losses of more than $8.4 billion, which is nearly 6% of the national’s total mental health bill. (NIMH, n.a.) Culture also has and immense impact on OCD and it’s patients. Many people are scared to seek treatment because of the fear of being labeled “crazy”. Many scientist believe that religion may also have a connection with the obsessions and compulsions of those diagnosed with OCD, “Effect of religious culture on obsessive Cultural factors may influence the nature of obsessions and compulsions associated with the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The aid of this review is to evaluate the effect of religious upbringing on OCD symptoms. In fact, a variety of symptoms related to religious thoughts are more prevalent in clinical populations from countries in which religion is at the central core of the society, particularly in Muslim and Jewish Middle Eastern cultures, as compared with clinical populations from the West. These findings suggest that clinicians should be sensitive to the fact that religious obsessions may be more prevalent in certain cultures with which they may not be well acquainted.” (de Bilbao, F., Giannakopoulos, P., 2005) People who suffer from OCD not only have to deal with the things that typical stressors that life hands them, they must also deal with the stressors that their disorder gives them, as well as the stressors they undergo to having to deal with their unwanted obsessions and compulsions and the reaction to them from others or their frustrations they share with their family and friends about their rituals.

References
Shiraev, E., & Levy, D. (2010). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (4th ed). Boston: Pearson/Allyn Bacon.

U.S. National Library of Medicine (2010). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001926/
U.S National Library of Medicine. (2005). Effect of religious culture on obsessive compulsive disorder symptomatology. A transcultural study in monotheistic religions. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16396372
National institute of Mental Health (n.a) Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/treatment-of-anxiety-disorders.shtml
OCDCenter.org (n.a) Potential Impact of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD) on Loved Ones, Friends, and Caregivers. Retrieved from http://ocdcenter.org/treatments/ocd-for-caregivers.php