Abstract This paper discusses obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In particular, the paper describes what the disorder is, how prevalent it appears to be among Americans, what the etiology of the disease is, and what treatments are available to combat it. In addressing these matters, the paper looks at some empirical studies that have emerged in recent years and how they shape our understanding of this still largely inscrutable illness. In conclusion, the paper shows that it appears as though behavioral therapy is the best course of action - and considerably more preferable than any drug regimen.
From the Paper "The same path-breaking empirical work also goes further with regards to evaluating sub-categories of obsessive-compulsive neuroses. For one thing, there are six discrete sub-categories of obsessive-compulsive thoughts that researchers as early as the middle 1970s found enormously important and pervasive among patients. For instance, there is the motif of "dirt and contamination"; the theme of "aggression"; the theme of "inanimate-impersonal"; religious motifs; sexual obsessions; and miscellany of one sort or another that could not be comfortably placed in any of the preceding categories."
