Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Introduction
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a disorder that is characterized by anxiety brought about by intrusive thoughts. The anxiety is exhibited by repetitive behaviors which are obsessive and compulsory such as, frequent thoughtful hand washing. The basis of the anxiety disorder is preoccupation by habits which are difficult to shed off and at the same time they occupy the remedy for reducing anxiety. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was first identified in the 14th century and over the years; various symptoms concerning the disorder have been exhibited such as preoccupation with sexual thoughts. Abnormality of the brain in the thalamus region is a major cause of the disorder such that the victim indulges in awkward activities which are carried out in solitude such that the individual is alienated from friends and peers. Treatment for OCD involves combined behavioral and drug therapy to maintain a homeostatic nervous system hence reducing the obsession.
Discussion
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder if the fourth most frequent anxiety disease affecting Americans. It is characterized by increased concentration in a simple task such as closing a door which is done nervously and with increased emphasis on every detail thus creating a perfectionist perception. Victims of OCD are often seen as paranoid as they indulge in habitual activities which must be executed at the specified time or whenever the intrusive thoughts arise. This increases the time spent as well as engrossment in the action and peers who could be in the vicinity are virtually ignored.
Victims of the disorder are often able to recognize their compulsive actions and thoughts triggered by the disorder as being irrational and this revelation increases their anxiety such that they indulge in repetitive behavior aggressively. Further distress is brought about by inability to control the obsessive thoughts which are intrusive and the fact that they cannot restrain the habits without engaging the services of others (Barlow and Durand 2006).
History of OCD
In the 14th century, European natives had the common belief those individuals who experienced frequent obsessive thoughts inclined towards sex and blasphemies were possessed by evil spirits. Hence they were treated by exorcism where the evil spirits were banished from the possessor. Other than individual was said to be possessed, other victims who portrayed similar symptoms were said to be suffering from “religions melancholy” as a result of overzealous devotion to their Creator(Davis, 2008).
In 1621, Robert Burton stated that the priestly superstitions surrounding OCD led to the frenzy seen in the faithful and only through provision of cheerful, comfortable friends who were engaged in productive activities could delude the symptoms. Hence solitude and idleness led to enhanced opportunities for encouraging the intrusive thoughts (Osborn, 1999).
A major breakthrough in the field occurred in the 1860s when Sigmund Freud discovered that there was a close link between unconscious conflicts and OCD. Suppression of childhood desires by external forces such as parents led to conflicting thoughts in the brain. Consequently, in moments of solitude, the child will carry out the prohibited action and they gain temporary relief knowing that the action is wrong and embarrassing. This way the child will be obsessed with the habit every time they will be idle and over time it becomes habitual and compulsive(Osborn, 1999).
Symptoms of OCD and their effects on the individual
Obsession with simple tasks or concepts which are beyond the victims reach is a common symptoms portrayed by victims of OCD. Examples of obsessions include thoughts of someone dying or the image of close person during a painful moment. Most of them will have intrusive thoughts obsessed by sexual thoughts such that they are preoccupied by thoughts involving rape of close friends or relatives. Such thoughts makes the victim wary of individuals of the same or opposite gender and in due time they develop into homo/heterosexuals (Davis, 2008).
Consequently, realization that the individual may act upon the secret thoughts leads to self-loathing and hatred such that the victim feels dirty. These thoughts may become suicidal especially when the individual is idle thus causing emotional and physical on the victim. Furthermore, the self-esteem of the individual is reduced when he/she perceives others have identified their secret thoughts. Hence the social life is affected because the individual will always avoid peers so that they have ample time for their thoughts (Barlow 2006).
Compulsive habits is the other symptom portrayed by the OCD victims in the sense that they may adapt certain rituals with the perception that continuous participation will reduce the chances of unwanted fears occurring. Thoughts which are compulsive usually occur when the victim distorts their normal trail of thoughts to dismiss fears and anxiety about dreaded events. The paranoia of bad things happening makes the OCD sufferers to take up habitual rituals which will distract their thoughts from the disturbing issue at hand. Examples of habitual behaviors include repeatedly washing the hands even though they are clean and counting objects frequently in a certain manner (Osborn, 1999).
The relief obtained from the distractive ritual is temporary but then it reduces the impact of the obsessive thought or habit. There are various conflicts surrounding the concept of compulsiveness as most people tend to mix-up routine habits and compulsive habits. Routine habits are used by individuals as a source of relaxation and increasing efficiency of ones life while a compulsive habit deprives joy from the task hence the individual does it as a source of solace(Davis, 2008).
There are many physical and emotional effects of compulsive behavior including the aspect of an individual spending more than an hour a day rearranging and counting objects to push away intrusive thoughts. This reduces the efficiency and productivity of the individual due to psychological fatigue created by the side-task. Similarly, those who wash their hands continuously may cause severe damage to the dermis of their hands brought about by exposure to treated water (Osborn, 1999).
Causes of OCD
Some cases of OCD are caused by abnormal brain development such that the communication between orbitofrontal cortex, thalamus and caudate nucleus is interfered with. The abnormality prevents transmission of impulses to the thalamus hence making the thalamus hyperactive which leads to enhanced anxiety in the victim. Similarly, in children the disorder may be caused by streptococcal infection of the brain (Davis, 2008).
Consequently, hereditary factors such as cases in the family where one individual has unbalanced neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine may lead to inheritance of the disorder from parents. In addition to inheritance, mutations can occur hence reducing chances of normal brain development and secretion of chemicals in the nervous system. A combination of the mutation and favorable environmental factors are linked to increase physiological OCD hence it is not only caused by internal factors but also external prevailing conditions (Osborn, 1999).
Treatment of OCD
Behavioral therapy has been successfully used to treat OCD especially the “exposure and prevent” mechanism. In this criterion, the victim is exposed to the fear but measures are laid to avoid indulging into the compulsive behavior. The OCD victim is taught how to dissociate the fear from ritual and over time the habit or intrusive thoughts are eliminated completely. Similarly, encouraging the individual to associate with peers during class or work-related tasks reduces idling and solitude. These two are predisposing factors for the disorder hence a remedy is obtained. Chemical treatment involves use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which reduce the amount of serotonin being produced hence chemical messages that reduce anxiety and obsessive thoughts are reduced (Wadsworth and Abramowitz, 2009).
Conclusion
OCD is not a fatal disorder. However, the consequences associated with effects of the symptoms are disastrous end prompt diagnosis may be essential in ensuring that treatment is timely. Like other disorders, it is not transferable other tan through inheritance hence its effects and symptoms can be counteracted.
References
Barlow, D. H. and Durand V. M. (2006). Essentials of Abnormal Psychology. California:
Davis, L.J. (2008). Obsession: A History. University of Chicago Press
Osborn, I. (1999). Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals : The Hidden Epidemic of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder. New York: Dell
Wadsworth, T. and Abramowitz, J, S. (2009). Getting over OCD: A 10 step workbook for taking back your life. New York: Guilford Press
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