Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the DSM-IV-TR lists criteria for the diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as: (1) Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images, which are intrusive, inappropriate and cause anxiety during the disturbance, (2) these cannot be excessive worries about real-life problems, (3) the person attempts to ignore, suppress or neutralize them with another thought or action and (4) the person recognizes that these obsessive thoughts, impulses or images are a product of his or her own mind. The author points out that the most common life event, which can lead to OCD, is a strict home environment while growing up. The paper examines the psychoanalytical and behavioral theories of causation of OCD, which relate directly to the selected treatment; however, the behaviorist's systematic-desensitization process is the most successful with a rate of 80% if maintained over several years.

From the Paper:

"The course of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is generally chronic, meaning life-long. However, the intensity of the symptoms fluctuates throughout life and occasionally has been reported to remit spontaneously. The most common event that leads to OCD becoming chronic, happens when the patient suppresses rituals because of the unusual symptoms. They usually become withdrawn and introverted as to hide their symptoms from others. This leads to depression which then leads to them getting treatment for that depression, which then in turn leads the psychologist to discover the more serious underlying cause of OCD. By the time the OCD is discovered it's usually too late and the OCD is already set in stone and becomes life-long."

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