Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Research Paper Example Obsessive Compulsive Disorder According to the article entitled â€Å"Psychological Disorders,† mental disorders are defined as â€Å"health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior associated with distress and/or impaired functioning†(Green, 2003). There are a myriad of different psychological disorders including depression disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders (Green, 2003). Anxiety disorders are considered to be the most common form of mental illness within the United States as over 19 million Americans have been diagnosed with one of several anxiety disorders (Green, 2003). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder that has complex symptoms and methods of treatment which can severely impact a person’s quality of life. According to the article entitled â€Å"Associations between miscellaneous symptoms and symptom dimensions in adults with obsessive-compulsive d isorders† obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by â€Å"intrusive and recurrent thoughts, ideas, impulses, or images (obsessions) and repetitive rituals/compulsions that serve to reduce anxiety†(Storch, et al. 2008). ... sociated with this particular disorder include repetitive washing of hands, repetitive counting, and other similar behaviors that are completed to relieve the build-up of anxiety. However, although there are some uniform symptoms, there are miscellaneous symptoms that differ from person to person; therefore, it is important to note that the disorder can present itself differently from individual to individual. Overall, there is specific criteria that must be met in order to be diagnosed with OCD. Within the article entitled â€Å"The Phenomenology of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,† OCD is diagnosed by the elements listed within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(Spitzer and Dieter, 1997). One of the most important factors is that the obsessive behaviors or thoughts cannot be a result of a â€Å"substance, drug, or general medical condition(Spitzer and Dieter, 1997). Primarily, within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the two mai n aspects that make up OCD include obsessions and compulsions. In order to be considered a full blown disorder, the obsessions and compulsions cannot be simply everyday worries, but must be consistent with irrational beliefs and thoughts (Spitzer and Dieter, 1997). The disorder must have also reached the point where it is interfering with the person’s daily life and the general quality of their life (Spitzer and Dieter, 1997). According to an article entitled â€Å"Symptoms clusters in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): influence of age and age of onset,† a study was conducted by researching the charts of OCD patients where it was determined that there was no pattern that could be detected in terms of gender as it pertained to the development of this particular disorder(Butwicka and Gmitrowicz,