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."

Tags:cognitive, behavioral, psychology, children, adluts

Abstract
This 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 discusses some empirical studies that have emerged in recent years and how they shape our understanding of this still largely inscrutable illness. The paper concludes that it appears as though behavioral therapy is the best course of action - and considerably more preferable than any drug regimen.

Tags:obsessive, compulsive, disorder

Abstract
This paper presents a critique of a film, What About Bob", and a book, "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: The latest Assessmentand Treatment Strategies, which are both about obsessive compulsive disorder. The paper explains that the author learned from the film that the sociopathic, interpersonal behaviors, which the character of Bob in the film exhibits, are some of the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). The paper then relates that a major area of contention in the book is the use of medications to help resolve the common symptoms of OCD. The author stresses that Steketee provides a great deal of insight about behavioral therapy, which provides far more solutions to OCD than the medicinal and surgical treatments often found in other studies done for patient treatment.

From the Paper
"Some of the others question about Steketee's reliance on behavioral therapy for treatment is the Appendix where she describes many of the findings of clinical studies that provide information about behavioral therapy. Certainly, the success rates of behavioral therapy need to be addressed far more often than the heavily sponsored pharmaceutical studies being done due to their massive financial resources. Steketee provides the foundation for behavioral studies that give her the premise of providing more behavioral solutions for patients that are suffering from this disorder."

Tags:boundaries symptoms, behavioral therapy, pharmaceutical options

Abstract
The paper relates that obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by a series of behaviors or rituals brought on by an intense sensation of anxiety. The paper explains that an individual engages in these repeated behaviors in the hope that the feelings of anxiety will subside, however, these rituals only provide a temporary alleviation to the symptoms.

From the Paper
"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by a series of behaviors or rituals brought on by an intense sensation of anxiety. An individual engages in these repeated behaviors in the hope that the feelings of anxiety will subside. These rituals however, only seek to provide a temporary alleviation to the symptoms. Recent statistics from the National Institute of Health demonstrate that roughly 3.3 million adult Americans suffer from some form of OCD. These individuals harbor fears of germs, diseases or filled with the need to..."

Tags:ocd, symptoms, analysis

Abstract
This paper looks at obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a psychological disorder that causes the same stressful or alarming and worrisome thoughts to occur over and over, obsessively, in the mind of the person with the disorder.

Outline
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
What is OCD Like?
How does One Get OCD?
How is OCD Diagnosed?
How is OCD Treated?

From the Paper
"Children tend to show specific patterns. They may avoid sharp things out of a concern regarding injuring self or others. OCD often makes a child appear to dawdle when the child is actually repeatedly checking or counting something. They may appear to daydream when they're actually stuck in an obsessive thought. If they have hand-washing rituals, they may spend extended amounts of time in the bathroom. Repeated checking and insistence on a stylized perception of perfection can cause late schoolwork. There may be signs of many erasures on papers. It may be hard to spot these things, because people with OCD often work hard to hide their traits so no one will try to make them give them up (Gale Ency., 2001)."

Tags:psychological, treatment, children, medication

Abstract
This paper discusses that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) must be distinguished from Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), which is a completely different psychiatric disorder. Despite some similarity between the irrational themes underlying each disorder, OCPD patients do not typically perform compulsive rituals; rather, they tend to become preoccupied with perfectionism or with ordered regularity or rules. The author points out that Behavioral Modification Therapy is unsuccessful by itself, but it is often combined with Cognitive Therapy, in which the therapist discusses the irrationality of the specific fears underlying the patient's fears and compulsions. The paper states that the first goal of pharmacological treatment of OCD is to maintain a sufficient level of serotonin in the brain to eliminate OCD symptoms.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis

From the Paper
"The first line of medications used in conjunction with treatment of OCD is anti-anxiety medications or mild sedatives to counteract the increased anxiety that is often brought on by behavioral and cognitive psychotherapeutic approaches. If the patient is unresponsive (or not satisfactorily responsive) to a combination of behavioral and cognitive therapy, the next approach is usually the prescription of a Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitor. Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors are classified either as Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRI) or Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). As their names imply, both SRI's and SSRI's block the reuptake (or absorption) of the neurotransmitter seratonin to address seratonin insufficiency in the brains of patients exhibiting OCD symptoms. SSRI's are usually employed first because they affect only seratonin; whereas, SRI's also impinge upon other neurotransmitters that are unrelated to OCD symptoms. Consequently, SRI's are more likely to result in coincidental unwanted side effects, such as weight gain, tiredness, dizziness, as well as blood pressure changes and even cardiac irregularities."

Tags:cognitive, modification, drugs, seratonin, control

Abstract
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."

Tags:anxiety, rituals, psychoanalytical, behavioral, systematic-desensitization

Abstract
This paper deals with the nursing aspects of working in an outpatient capacity with young patients suffering from various levels of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It analyzes the literature on OCD treatment from a number of perspectives and from the relatively benign, such as fear of flying, to life-threatening, such as anorexia.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Sertraline, and Their Combination for Children and Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
A Narrative Approach to Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Self-Injurious Behavior: A Bi-Modal Treatment Approach to Working with Adolescent Females
Measurement of Nonclinical Personality Characteristics of Women with Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa
Conclusion

From the Paper
"SSRI's have helped to transform OCD treatment for many with mild- to moderate OCD syndromes. This metastudy looked at the literature which pertains to pediatric and adolescent sufferers of OCD, which is a helpful expansion from earlier clinical work done on SSRI's with adults. The meta-study looked exclusively at well-conducted clinical trials, which were randomized, double-blinded, limited to patients 19 or under, and had a placebo or other sort of control. The study does not indicate whether all patients were analyzed on a prospective rather than a retrospective basis, which would be an additional claim of objectivity.
In all, the meta-study included 12 studies with 1,044 participants, an average of 87 patients per study. Given that four SSRI's were evaluated, it is difficult to draw statistically-significant conclusions from these studies--many were simply underpowered, with some n's as low as 21, 7 and 11. This meta-study calculated a "fail-safe N," a number below which negative data would disprove the conclusions; this author would argue that the total number of participants was too close to the fail-safe N to be able to draw statistically valid conclusions."

Tags:fundamental, clinical, placebo

Abstract
This paper studies obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in children. The paper begins by discussing the lack of a precise known cause of OCD. Next the paper looks at treatment of a psychiatric condition that may be both neurobiological and psychological. The paper also examines the debilitating impact of this anxiety disorder and some solutions.

From the Paper
"Obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD is a complicated and still puzzling psychiatric disorder that has been called one of the most debilitating of the anxiety disorders. Recent studies suggest that approximately..."

Tags:obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD

Abstract
This paper examines Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in adults and children. The paper begins with a discussion of the etiology and prevalence of the disease. Next the paper reviews co-morbid diseases. The paper then focuses on the symptoms and treatment of OCD, with special emphasis on the role of the nurse as therapist and educator.

Tags:obsessive-compulsive disorder, Cognitive-Behaviroal therapy