Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders and Depressive Disorders

PART I: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) refers to a mental behavior that is identifiable by the unreasonable thoughts and fears, which leads to an unending need to check things or perform certain tasks in the same repetitive manner. This disorder, as some researchers try to define, is driven by recurring impulses and it typically includes the experience of partial deliberate control over these desires, a reduced capability to halt these traits, and an inkling to undertake repetitive acts in a routine or fixed manner (NewsRx, 2016). Thus, OCD will be discussed in this paper.

History

According to Hertler (2013), OCD has a long history, and its definition started with a 1908 seminal paper by Freud. This was followed by various researchers’ efforts to characterize the obsessive phenomenology and related behaviors. Some of the theorists and researchers involved in the definition of this problem include Pierre Janet, Segal, Shapiro, and Pettit among many others. Million and Davis, however, have been recognized by Herlter (2013) in their effort to increase people’s understanding of this disorder (Hertler, 2013). This was achieved through their in depth analysis of the disorder and the explanations of the traits, themes, and the patterns of the disorder.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders tried to come up with some coherent understanding and description of the behavior. DSM III-3 expanded the description of this disorder to the criteria that involved nine characteristics. Currently, OCD is understood and diagnosed from DSM IV criteria, which was aimed at understanding the disorder. By summarizing the existing literature on this problem, DSM IV managed to serve as a clinically useful manual or bridge of understanding the disorder. However, the DSM V criteria are underway, and its aim is to include the current findings and evidence for understanding and diagnosing OCD (Hertler, 2013).

Causes

Presently, there exist no exact known causes of OCD. However, studies in this area. according to the information presented in DSM-V, show that the variation in the brain and genes of the individuals affected may contribute in a way (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). According to the same diagnostic manual, DSM-V, OCD presupposes difficulties in communication between the front mental component and deeper structures of the mind (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The logic structures employ a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Consequently, the images taken of the mind in operation reveal that in some individuals, the logic structures involved in OCD change to normal with either treatment that impact serotonin levels or cognitive behavior therapy. Regarding the disorder inheritance, past studies, according to DSM-V diagnostic manual, reveal that the disease does run in families and that the genetic factor probably partakes in the growth of OCD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). However, the genetic factor appears only partly to contribute. Factors that may be involved are characteristically unknown, making the assumption that the disease might be triggered by an ailment or even normal life strain that may prompt the action of the genetic factors associated with the signs of the disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Hertletr (2013) explains that OCD that starts at infancy may be dissimilar to the one that commences in adulthood because the study shows that the genetic factors partake a significant role when the disorder begins in infancy compared to adulthood.

Symptoms

OCD is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Some of the most common obsessions include constant and unreasonable worry about germs, dirt, and contamination. Patients also become overly concerned with symmetry, order, and arrangement and suffer from constant that aggressive thoughts will harm others especially loved ones. Others suffer from the obsession of losing non-valuable objects, while some experience obnoxious sexual and religious images and thoughts. Other symptoms include feeling that one is responsible for other people’s safety and extreme and unreasonable doubt. People also experience compulsions or ritualized routines and behaviors in the following areas – cleaning, such as hands or bathing, constant checking and re-checking, repeating of activities, phrases, names and other things and mental rituals such as counting, endless conversations, and other repetitive behaviors.

Different Types and Related Disorders

Numerous diseases are connected to and sometimes even confused with OCD. One of the problems that make it difficult to treat OCD among most individuals is the existence of other diseases that share the same characteristics with OCD. These include the following conditions.

Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

This represents a protracted disease affecting many children. Even though it is well-intentioned, it is believed to escalate the OCD symptoms’ seriousness and it may cause more OCD-related damage (Francazio et al., 2016). The disorders are typically denoted to as the Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders (OC Related Disorders). Among the correlated syndrome is the Hoarding disorder and until of late, it has been regarded a subtype of OCD. The hoarding behavior is like OCD in that the persons with the disease also spend great amounts of time preoccupied with arranging, organizing, and handling items. The disorder differs from OCD in that the individuals affected do not distinguish a problem with their excessive collecting. Moreover, the individuals do not respond well to traditional OCD treatments like the ERT or anxiety-based treatment approaches. For people with OCD, they do not want to engage in their compulsive behavior.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

BDD is a mutual disorder that is connected with weakened working and high levels of suicidality (Bjornsson et al., 2016). The individuals affected with this disorder also engage in the repeated checking. People with BDD possess examining habits and obsessions that simply concentrate on their build or the way they appear. In most cases, such people are more likely to seek cosmetic surgery. However, the individuals suffering from OCD do not have thoughts or behaviors that focus on the way they look.

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)

People suffering from this condition and those with OCD engage in repetitive behaviors in response to feeling uncomfortable. People with BFRBs have a good feeling from pulling out their body hair or picking at skin, which is used by some to relieve stress. The individuals also respond better to habit reversal and different medicines than people with OCD. However, for people with OCD, they repeat their behaviors to get away from bad feelings like anxiety. PANDAS represents a related disorder that effects compulsions and typical obsessions like OCD, and it is usually confused with OCD. Others include tic disorders, impulse control disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia (Bjornsson et al., 2016).

OCD Prevention

Unfortunately, there is no known prevention of this disorder. However, to prevent its persistent symptoms, one needs to use the help of therapists constantly. Taking medications is also necessary to avoid the recurrence of symptoms.

Long-Term and Short-Term OCD Treatment Plans

The best treatment of this disorder is based on treatment plans that can be either short term or long-term.

During the short-term plan, OCD patients should consult a therapist who should plan their therapies. For this plan, the clinician should incorporate exposure and response prevention (ERP) and medication. The study by Levy and Radomsky (2016) has it that the majority of individuals with the disorder will benefit from either medication or ERP. The study recommends that safety behavior (SB) may increase the appropriateness of ERP; however, questions linger about how to integrate SB into prevailing cures (Levy & Radomsky, 2016). However, there exist the most efficient remedies for OCD that include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and medication. The ERP represents a more useful type of CBT, which has the sound proof supporting its application in the treatment of OCD and a class of treatments christened serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) (Bjornsson et al.,2016).

Tips of Overcoming the Disorder

Apart from therapies and medications, group therapy can be used. Partial hospitalization can also be applied together with the therapies where treatment attendance is accomplished at a mental hospital. Another type of treatment that can be combined with the previously explained methods is residential treatment, whereby affected individuals are treated while living willingly in an open mind treatment center or hospital. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also effective for apprehension handling (Bjornsson et al., 2016).

Parenting Skills to Help Individuals with OCD

As explained in this paper, children too suffer from OCD. This means that parents have a huge role to play in curbing OCD in children. Such parents need to help their children in understanding the disorder. They should also make sure that they fight the right therapists for treatment of the conditions. When at home, parents should recognize and respond to OCD symptoms in their children. Some of the common causes of OCD that parents need to pay attention to include death of a loved one, illnesses, divorce, a new sibling, or a transition to some new life. In such cases, parents should ensure that OCD is dealt with, using ERP therapy together with proper medications. Parents can also use support from other parents and children with the same disorder.

Evidence-Based Therapies for OCD

A number of treatments have been reported as being effective in treating OCD and studies in this area confirm their effectiveness. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a combination of antidepressant medications. When using these methods, clinicians need to know that each child or patient is different, and different strategies should be applied for different patients (Bjornsson et al., 2016).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disease that causes serious unease in the victims. OCD presupposes both obsessions and compulsions that consume great deal of time and get in the way of essential undertakings that the individuals value. Therefore, the cure for numerous OCD patients should incorporate different treatment methods such as exposure and response prevention (ERP), medication and CBT methods, and patient support by the family members. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a combination of antidepressant medications can also be used to cure OCD. Parents, who have children with OCD, need to help their children in understanding the disorder. They should also make sure that some sudden changes in their children’s lives do not overly affect their children, as they are likely to cause OCD.