Some of the common themes of OCD include washing, cleaning, counting, constant checking, asking for assurances and reassurances, ensuring orderliness, etc (Mayo, 2008).
Current treatments (i. e. psychotropic medication(s), therapy (what type) and their success rate The diagnosis of OCD is made based on the history, symptoms, signs, physical examination (to rule out other disorders), mental examination (including interviews, and questionnaires such as Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale), blood and urine tests (to determine the use of drugs and evaluate thyroid functions), and is confirmed with the DSM-IV-TR guidelines (Mayo, 2008).
Frequently, it is difficult to treat OCD due to the range of symptoms it produces. However, the two measures that may be required in the treatment include short-term administration of medications and psychotherapy. SSRI antidepressants are the main group of drugs that are used in the treatment of OCD. Some of the drugs that are commonly used include Fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertaline, etc (Mayo, 2008).
Previously, clomipramine (another antidepressant) was utilized in the treatment of OCD, but can cause several side-effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, postural hypotension, etc.
Benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of OCD, especially when the other symptoms of anxiety seem to be severe (Ballas, 2008).
Long-term psychotherapy helps to improve the manner of thinking, reduce anxiety, resisting the need to perform compulsions and reducing the inner conflicts that may arise. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure-response prevention, and thought-stopping seem to be effective in treating OCD (Ballas, 2008).
The Term Paper on Psychoanalysis and the Treatment of Drug Addiction
Drug addiction persists to present major challenge to serving psychoanalysts. There are different techniques used to treat drug addiction however this paper mainly discusses psychoanalysis as a mode of treatment for drug addiction. Even though media hype regarding the issue of drug addiction has augmented in the last few years, there has not been sufficient stress on different methods used to deal ...
In certain cases due to the development of suicidal thoughts, the individual may be at risk and require hospitalization (Mayo, 2008).
Usually, the condition responds to treatment and the symptoms would improve. However, the condition frequently turns out to be chronic, with period of improvement in the symptoms (Ballas, 2008).
Conclusion OCD is a chronic disorder and often cannot be cured completely. However, the disorder does not progress into another mental disorder. The individual develops obsession and compulsions around a particular theme that seem to be clearly excessive and interfering with the normal ability to function. Further research need to be conducted to determine the exact manner of development of the disorder. Reference Ballas, C. B. (2008).
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Retrieved on April 27, 2009, from Web site: http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000929. htm Behave Net Clinical Capsule (2009).
DSM-IV: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Retrieved on April 27, 2009, from Web site: http://www. behavenet. com/capsules/disorders/o-cd. htm Jefferson, J. W. (2007).
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Retrieved on April 27, 2009, from Web site: http://www. merck. com/mmhe/sec07/ch100/ch100f. html Mayo Clinic (2008).
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Retrieved on April 27, 2009, from Web site: http://www. mayoclinic. com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189
