As Good As It Gets?: An Examination Of The Mechanism And Mode Of Treatm

As Good As It Gets?: An Examination Of The Mechanism And Mode Of Treatment Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder, often referred to as simply OCD, is a mental illness in which an individual experiences endless cycles of repeated thoughts and rituals, known as obsessions and compulsions, which she feels she cannot control (1). Although many people possess habits and routines that help them organize their every day schedules, people with OCD form patterns of behavior that are extremely time-consuming and interfere with their daily lives. Once believed to be a rare and incurable disease which people kept hidden for fear of embarrassment (2), OCD is now recognized as being far more common than previously believed, affecting both men and women, and people of all races and socio-economic backgrounds equally (3). In fact, recent studies have shown that about 2.5% of the population have this disorder at some point in their lives (2), with between 3 to 5 million Americans affected with the disorder each year (3). Though OCD is a chronic illness that can take over a person's life if left untreated (1), a strict regiment involving proper medication and effective treatment can vastly improve the OCD sufferer's condition. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is composed of two major constituents evident in its very name - obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are recurring thoughts or impulses that seem to invade one's mind despite attempts to ignore or suppress them (4). Though these thoughts range from the tedious and seemingly innocuous sort, to the shameful and morbid kind, all are generally viewed as senseless and are accompanied by anxiety to some degree (4). Some common examples of obsessions include: fe... ...tion remains an option. Regardless of whether an OCD patient is treated in or out of a hospital, treatment is vital in improving his condition, for if left untreated, the disorder will continue indefinitely (3). With the wide range of treatment options available to OCD sufferers and the extensive studies being conducted in lieu of the disorder, the promise of a future with less worries and anxiety appears to be well within reach. WWW Sources 1) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder , on the National Institute of Mental Health website http://www.nimh.nih.gov/anxiety/ocdfacts.cfm 2) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: What Is It and How To Treat It http://familydoctor.org/133.xml 3) Most Frequently Asked Questions About OCD http://www.ocdhelp.org/faq.html 4) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder , on the Encyclopaedia Britannica website http://www.britannica.com/