Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental condition or disorder that affects a person's ability to function normally because they constantly feel the need to repeat certain actions, attain certain obsessive goals, or are bothered by obtrusive thoughts that may make them want to carry out these compulsive actions. OCD is present in both males and females, and generally starts between the teen years and the early twenties. Some scientists believe that the cause of this unnormal mental activity is a result of a malfunction in the chemical levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that is used to regulate emotions. If low levels of serotonin are present and a regular amount is not able to flow, the brain mistakenly comes up with a number of warning messages and can react with symptoms such as those listed for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The reactions cause distress and anxiety for the person, and even if there isn't an actual threat or danger, the person is compelled to keep doing the obsessive action just to appease that portion of their brain. They usually realize that they have a problem but keep doing it because of the fact that they are afraid of the reaction that might occur if they don't give in to the impulse. Some examples of common Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder symptoms are: fears of contamination (like blood or germs), repeatedly washing hands, repeatedly tapping objects (like tapping doorknobs a certain amount of times), having intrusive violent or aggressive thoughts, and others. Some ways to treat this disorder may include going to behavioral therapy, taking medications to moderate and reverse the blocking, and psycho-surgery. A famous example of a person with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is the aviator Howard Hughes.
Monday, January 26, 2009
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