Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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What comes to mind when the word “obsessive” is said? Is it the fact that an obsession can control someone’s life? Is it that it may be a phase? What about the word “compulsive”? Is it a thought of a need to do something that comes to mind? Or is it something that someone did not mean to do? People who live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder deal with both obsessions and compulsions daily. As time goes on, scientists are discovering more information about the causes and effects of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. First, being able to understand the components of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder--OCD--will alleviate understanding the causes and effects of OCD. In order to understand statics of OCD, he/she has to understand what the disorder really…show more content…
This disorder causes the patient to perform repetitive tasks that tend to be uncontrollable and inconsistent (Veague 56). OCD can be broken down into three main categories of symptoms. For example, one of the symptoms is obsession. Obsession leads to fears and thoughts that constantly sit in the patient's mind and causes stress and anxiety. The fear of dirt, embarrassment, making a mistake, causing harm to others, thinking sinful thoughts and/or the need for order and having excessive doubt are examples of obsessive symptoms ("OCD in Children and Adults: Symptoms, Causes, and More"). Also, another symptom is the compulsive component. When that obsession stays in the mind for a long period of time the patient is compulsed to behaviors or rituals (Wyborny 22). Without completion of these rituals the OCD patient will feel more distress ("Obsessive-compulsive Disorder" ). Most compulsive actions are generated from the obsession. The fear of germs can cause excessive hand washing. Another example is a feeling that something bad will happen if the patient does not turn on and off the lights a certain time. Additionally, some symptoms are not caused by a certain obsession or compulsion; these symptoms are caused by a feeling, for example perfectionism. This can lead to the patient not utilizing rooms after being arranged a certain way and arranging items a certain way. Along with…show more content…
The National Institute of Health has not proven any direct causes to why a person starts to show OCD symptoms, but, they have found connections to show why OCD may develop ("Signs & Symptoms of OCD"). For example, having higher brain activity than normal may be a cause of OCD. A brain scan can not form a diagnosis for OCD or tell a doctor what kind of treatment the patient would benefit from the most, because activity may be different depending on the severity or type of OCD. Brain scans have proven to show higher activity in the Orbitofrontal Cortex, which is directly above the eyeballs, in a patient with OCD ("How Is OCD Treated?" ). Also, communication in the brain may also function differently. The pathway in the brain that connects the judgement and planning of activities and the movements of the body together does not operate correctly. This may cause the obsession to emerge as a compulsion ("OCD in Children and Adults: Symptoms, Causes, and More"). Chemicals, including serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate, can cause disrupted communication in the brain. Brain injuries may also cause the brain to start to function differently. Additionally, the bacteria in certain infections, such as streptococcus and the flu, can prompt the development of OCD symptoms. This can only happen if, generally a child, already has OCD and does not know about their disorder. Moreover, genetics can
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