Ocd

I began writing this paper not knowing anything at all about obsessions or compulsions. I have heard a lot about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), but did not know much about it. In this paper I will touch on subjects such as: OCD, Kleptomania, Compulsive Lying, Compulsive Gambling, and Obsessed Lovers. I will explain the causes of each of these subjects, how they affect the lives of those who have the disorder, the statistics of each of them, and how they are treated, I hope that you will learn as much reading this paper as I did writing it.

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder. It is characterized by the need to do a task or ritual over and over again. To fully understand what OCD you need to know what obsessions and compulsions are. Obsessions are ideas that a person cannot stop thinking about. Example may include a loved one, a disease, or even thinking about harming someone else. A compulsion is an action that a person performs, usually repeatedly, in an attempt to make the obsession go away. Examples are locking doors a certain number of times before going to bed and showering up to five times a day (obsessively, internet). Now you can see that can't be a very good mix.

OCD is caused by an imbalance of Serotonin. When the Serotonin becomes imbalanced, the messages that go to your brain get confused or messed up, which makes the person with OCD act out thoughts of worry.

Some signs and symptoms of OCD consist of cleaning and washing repeatedly, making sure everything is in certain order, saving "junk" such as old newspapers, trash, and old bills, fear of doing someone harm and repeatedly checking locks or appliances (obsessively, internet),

A more severe form of OCD is known as body dysmorphia, in which a person becomes obsessed with one particular body part and believe something is wrong with it. People with body dysmorphia repeatedly try to fix the body part their focused on. People get many plastic surgeries and stare at the body part for many hours in front of the mirror (Phillipson, internet).

Steven Brodsky, a clinical psychologist has been studying OCD with symptoms that are tied to religion for six years. He has treated religions such as Jewish, Christian and Muslim. Symptoms of religious cases are visiting confessional booths over ands over again or reciting a prayer because they may have said it wrong. This type of OCD is very untested and Brodsky is one of the few who have (class, internet).

One of the most useful methods of treatment for OCD is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is also referred to as exposure and response prevention. CBT eases the stress of the patient by putting them face-to-face with their fears. Over time and more treatment the person learns to control their anxiety and live normally (living, internet).

The second treatment for OCD is Medication. Some medications used for OCD are Anafranil, Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, Poxil, and Celexal (obsessive, internet). The third method of treatment is becoming as knowledgeable about OCD as you can. Knowing about your illness can help you prevent it a lot more. Finding natural ways to avoid stress is key. Try joining a social group, or taking up yoga or kickboxing, Keep in touch with family and friends and get a lot of sleep and exercise (living, internet).

KLEPTOMANIA

People with Kleptomania often steal for the thrill of stealing. There is a pattern that Kleptomaniacs do before a steal. First, they get real tense then they get relief and/or pleasure after they've already stolen something. Kleptomaniacs don't steal because their poor or hungry, Kleptomaniacs often steal things they may never even use. Kleptomania is very uncommon, but is more common in women. Kleptomaniacs often have other problems such as Antisocial Personality Disorder, Maniac Episode or even a mood disorder.

Treatment is rare to find and the problem usually persists. Although, the stealing may slow down as the individual gets older (kleptomania, internet).

Compulsive Shopping

Do you know anyone that spends far too much money on things they may never use? If so, they may be an Omiomaniac, or a Compulsive shopper. Compulsive shopping is often overlooked and treated as a joke, but it's really a serious problem. People that have Oniomania spend thousands of dollars in one shopping session, putting themselves in extreme debt. Oniomania is not only bas financially, but it's bad mentally and emotionally. Oniomaniacs display a lot of addictive behavior. In fact, a lot of them were addicted to drugs or alcohol. Most Oniomaniacs are female, although, it can affect males. 10% of the adult population is likely to become Oniomaniacs. Sadness, stress or just plain boredom may set off a shopping spree.

Signs of compulsive shopping include spending large amounts of money, lying about shopping, borrowing or stealing money; shopping urges interfere with work and friends. After a spree there is usually a period of depression, which may set off another shopping spree. Oniomania is hard to stop.

Treatment for Oniomania is similar to the treatment of a drug or alcohol addiction. The compulsive shopper must make it hard for them to get money, distract themselves and avoid the impulse to shop. Although these methods work really well, psychologists and doctors are a great consideration (compulsive, internet).

Compulsive Lyining

Compulsive lying is when a person lies out of fear, habit, or modeling. People lie out of fear because they are afraid of what might happen if they tell the truth. People lie out of habit because they don't know any better. In this case it is known as lying by reflex (Wood, internet).

Lying by modeling is often caused from seeing others lie. People think since others lay its okay for them to lie, which isn't the case. It is said that Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Bipolar Disorder contribute to lying. If someone has a compulsive lying problem, they probably have one of these disorders.

Compulsive lying is caused by low Serotonin levels which makes a person want to lie (Wood, internet). Treatment is very hard to find. The only form of treatment is through medication for the above disorders, and they may not work.

Compulsive Lying in Children

Do you remember lying as a child? If your answer is yes, it's probably because you were afraid to tell the truth. Fear is the most common reason for children to lie. They become afraid