Customer center

We are a boutique essay service, not a mass production custom writing factory. Let us create a perfect paper for you today!

Example research essay topic: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder People With Ocd - 1,036 words

NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote

I have always been fascinated with behavioral disorders, especially OCD. I learned about OCD a few years ago when I was reading a medical journal. At first, it seemed like something very odd. The idea that otherwise normal people can do such strange things, and not be able to control themselves was fascinating.

I wanted to know more about this topic, which is why I chose to write my paper on it. I thought that by knowing more about the subject, I will be able to better understand how these peoples lives can be literally taken over by their constant worries and anxiety. Also, I think a lot of people exhibit these behaviors and arent even aware that they may have a severe problem, and more importantly, that they can be getting help to control these obsessions and compulsions. I also know that I have a lot of habits that could possibly be considered obsessive, and by writing this paper, I may have a better understanding of my own behaviors, and the ability to distinguish between a habit, and an obsession. Most importantly, however, thought it would be interesting to write a paper on something I did not already know that much about so that it would keep my interest. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is defined as an anxiety disorder where a person has recurrent unwanted ideas or impulses (called obsessions) and an urge or compulsion to do something to relieve the discomfort caused by the obsession (Mental Health Network, 2000).

The obsessive thought range from the idea of losing control, to themes surrounding religion or keeping things or parts of ones body clean all the time. Compulsions are behaviors that help reduce the anxiety surrounding the obsessions. 90 % of the people who have OCD have both obsessions and compulsions. The thoughts and behaviors a person with OCD has are senseless, repetitive, distressing, and sometimes harmful, but they are also difficult to overcome. Some examples of common obsessions of OCD sufferers are fears of germ contamination, imagining having harmed self or others, imagining losing control of aggressive urges, sexual thoughts or urges, excessive religious or moral doubt, etc.

As stated before, most cases of OCD have compulsions to satisfy their obsessions, or urges. Some of the compulsions for these urges are, excessive washing, repeating tasks, touching, counting, praying, etc. Some sufferers have been known to wash their hands fir hours at a time, or to turn their stove off dozens of times, when it was never on in the first place, all because of the obsession in their mind imagining and fearing that the house would burn down. Worries, doubts, superstitious beliefs- all are common worries of everyday life. However, when they become excessive, or make no sense at all, then a diagnosis is made. In OCD, it is as though the brain gets stuck on a particular thought or urge and just cant let go, no matter how hard they may try.

OCD is a medical brain disorder that causes problems in information processing (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation [OCD Foundation], 2000). Many patients believe that they somehow caused themselves to have these compulsive behaviors and obsessive thoughts. According to Neziraglu (1999), this is completely untrue; OCD is likely caused by a number of intertwined and complex factors which include genetics, biology, personality development, and how a person learns to react to the environment around them. Also the OCD foundation (2000), says that even though no specific genes for OCD have been identified, research suggests that genes do play a role in the development of the disorder in some cases. Childhood-onset OCD tends to run in families. When a parent has OCD, there is a slightly increased risk that a child will develop OCD.

While OCD runs in families, it is the general nature of OCD that seems to be inherited, not any specific symptoms. There is no single, proven cause of OCD. However, research suggests that OCD involves problems in communication between the orbital cortex and the basal ganglia (Wood & Wood, 1999). These brain structures use the chemical messenger serotonin. It is believed that insufficient levels of serotonin are involved in OCD. Even though it is clear that serotonin levels play a role in OCD, there is no laboratory test for the diagnosis of OCD.

Rather, the diagnosis is made based on an assessment of the persons symptoms. One such test from the OCD Foundation is the Florida Obsessive Compulsive Inventory Obsessive Compulsive Disorder screening test, developed by Dr. Wayne Goodman of the University of Florida (1994). It is an inventory of symptoms of OCD, and it can aid in the diagnosis of the disorder.

One of the main questions associated with OCD is, when does OCD begin? Well, OCD can start anytime from preschool age to adulthood. One-third to one half of adults with OCD report that it started during childhood. Unfortunately, OCD often goes unrecognized. Studies have found that it takes an average of 17 years from the OCD begins for people to obtain appropriate treatment.

People with OCD may b secretive about their symptoms, be embarrassed about their compulsions, or lack insight about their illness, causing them to not seek treatment. This is unfortunate, because earlier diagnosis and proper treatment can help people avoid the suffering associated with OCD and lessen the risk of developing other problems, such as marital and work problems (OCD Foundation, 2000). There are many other problems that are sometime confused with OCD. Some disorders that closely resemble OCD and may respond to some of the same treatments are trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling), body dimorphic disorder (imagined ugliness), and habit disorders, such as nail biting or skin picking.

While they share superficial similarities, impulse control problems, such as substance abuse, pathological gambling, or compulsive sexual activities are probably not related to OCD in any substantial way. Depression and OCD often occur together in adults, and less commonly, in children and adolescents. However, unless depression is also present, people with OCD are not generally sad or lacking in pleasure, and people who are depressed, but do not have OCD rarely have the kinds of intrusive thoughts that are characteristic of OCD. Although stress can make OCD worse, most p...


Free research essays on topics related to: obsessions and compulsions, people with ocd, play a role, obsessive compulsive disorder, losing control

Research essay sample on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder People With Ocd

Writing service prices per page

  • $18.85 - in 14 days
  • $19.95 - in 3 days
  • $23.95 - within 48 hours
  • $26.95 - within 24 hours
  • $29.95 - within 12 hours
  • $34.95 - within 6 hours
  • $39.95 - within 3 hours
  • Calculate total price

Our guarantee

  • 100% money back guarantee
  • plagiarism-free authentic works
  • completely confidential service
  • timely revisions until completely satisfied
  • 24/7 customer support
  • payments protected by PayPal

Secure payment

With EssayChief you get

  • Strict plagiarism detection regulations
  • 300+ words per page
  • Times New Roman font 12 pts, double-spaced
  • FREE abstract, outline, bibliography
  • Money back guarantee for missed deadline
  • Round-the-clock customer support
  • Complete anonymity of all our clients
  • Custom essays
  • Writing service

EssayChief can handle your

  • essays, term papers
  • book and movie reports
  • Power Point presentations
  • annotated bibliographies
  • theses, dissertations
  • exam preparations
  • editing and proofreading of your texts
  • academic ghostwriting of any kind

Free essay samples

Browse essays by topic:

Stay with EssayChief! We offer 10% discount to all our return customers. Once you place your order you will receive an email with the password. You can use this password for unlimited period and you can share it with your friends!

Academic ghostwriting

About us

© 2002-2024 EssayChief.com