Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

I have never nor do I know anyone who suffers from Obsession-Compulsive Disorder. When I first began my research, I didn’t know what to expect. I have now found that O.C.D. is more common than I originally thought. We meet and talk to people of all walks of life and see only what the other person wants to see. Most people are secretive, shameful and hide their illness. Some people with O.C.D. are aware of their condition and others know that something is different about them.

Before we can discuss O.C.D. we must also discuss depression and anxiety. Both of these are some resultants and signs of O.C.D. Signs of depression would be a person who might be telling themselves “I am a failure” or “My future doesn’t look good and is not going anywhere”. They also may look at their past with many regrets. Many also think that no one would miss them if they were dead. Other signs are not keeping up with themselves, non-sociable, sleep a lot and cry for no apparent reason. With anxiety, many are nervous, fidgety and can’t make decisions. A lot of other symptoms are also indecisiveness, over-preparation for things, prefer solitude and rather not speak out in crowds. Depression and anxiety have many causes and they differ, some of which are biological, drug use and abuse, physical illness and stress. With drugs, they don’t have to be illegal, they can be over the counter or prescribe medication. Some of the illegal drugs that alter moods are marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and ecstasy. People with major or minor physical illnesses / deformities can suffer from depression. This person may have had their legs removed and don’t want to live anymore.

O.C.D. is a neurobiological disorder that causes emotional discomfort and consu...

... middle of paper ...

..., Lexapro and Zoloft. Using the Electroconvulsive Therapy (E.C.T.) is the last resort and is used in severe cases of major depression. E.C.T. can result in temporary memory loss and there are even rumors of it causing brain problems.

As stated, it is hard to determine and detect whether you know or have O.C.D. some ways to detect it are P.E.T. and M.R.I. scans. The chances of passing on the disorder are a one in four chance. As I originally stated, I didn’t know too much of this disorder nor did I know anyone with it. Since I now know that it is and I know find myself looking into everyone I meet. You may know someone who organizes everything at work and you look at them as a “neat freak”, but are they just barely showing the surface of their disorder and being a full blown Perfectionist at home. Who knows, you may look at yourself and wonder what lies within you.