Articles On Obsessive Compulsive Disorder example essay topic

Summary The first article being evaluated is on the recognition and treatment of obsessive- compulsive disorder in general. This psychological illness was once considered rare but is now recognized as relatively common. [1] The criteria for the disorder are either obsessions or compulsions, but both are usually present. The patient diagnosed the disorder will usually have thoughts, or obsessions, that are so extreme that they interfere with normal daily life.

As do the compulsions, which are ritualistic physical or mental activities used by the patient to counteract the obsessions. [2] The onset of the disorder usually occurs in early adulthood, though it is not limited to. It usually runs in the patient's family. It is a highly untreated disorder due to the embarrassment and fears associated with behavior that is often viewed as highly ridiculous. [3] The treatment of the disorder had been strictly Psychotherapeutic (behavior therapy, treatment without drugs) until recently.

[4] The most common approach is to use behavior therapy, and if that doesn't work then combine that with drug treatment. The symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder can usually be reduced but rarely eliminated. [4] The second article being evaluated is the sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children. The symptoms and treatment are essentially the same for children as in teens and adults. The main difference is the compulsions in children tend to involve other family members more.

Conclusion Anyone can benefit from reading these articles on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I found them interesting from a purely educational viewpoint. People suffering from the disorder and people who have friends or family can benefit greatly from the information. Both articles, especially the second, don't go into to great detail on any of the different areas. Rather they briefly cover a broader number of areas and give information for sources on where to find more information if so desired.

I believe these articles could be improved if they would give a more detailed explanation on the exact nature of the disorder. This disorder has symptoms very similar to other disorders. More information could be key to successfully distinguishing OCD from another disorder, which is a common error. True diagnosis would lead to proper treatment faster thereby alleviating the symptoms of the disorder. Future articles on this subject should involve more research on the medication used to treat OCD and the potential side effects. Information like this is very important due to the fragile nature of the disorder and the minds obsessive reactions to physical side effects.

Overall I enjoyed both articles very much. The first one was a very good source of information, but could have been improved in the way it was written. The second one was less detailed but much better written and edited. Both were very interesting and I recommend them to anyone at a college reading level or higher.