Name of Disorder References

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a long- American Psychiatric Association. (2022).

term and often disabling mental illness Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
characterized by persistent, unwanted ideas disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR).
(obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2002).
acts (compulsions) that an individual is urged to Understanding the impact of stigma on people
perform repeatedly. The actions are typically with mental illness. World Psychiatry, 1(1), 16–20.
aimed at reducing the anxiety triggered by the National Institute of Mental Health. (2023).
obsessions or preventing feared consequences, Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
although they are not realistically associated with https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessiv Mental Health
those consequences (American Psychiatric e-compulsive-disorder-ocd
Association [APA], 2022). OCD is seen in people of
all ages, but the symptoms typically begin in
Rachman, S. (2020). Obsessions and
compulsions. Routledge.
and
adolescents or young adults. About 2.3% of the Stein, D. J., Costa, D. L. C., Lochner, C., Miguel, E.
population will develop OCD at some time in their
life, and it affects men and women about equally
C., Reddy, Y. C. J., Shavitt, R. G., van den Heuvel,
O. A., & Simpson, H. B. (2019). Obsessive–
Wellness
as often, although it begins sooner in males compulsive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease
(National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2023). Primers, 5(1), 1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0095-5
Symptoms
Individuals with OCD both have obsessions and
compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted
thoughts, images, or urges that cause extreme
distress or anxiety. Common obsessions are fears
of contamination, harm, or losing control.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental
Sokanhchana Ung
rituals performed to neutralize the anxiety April 13th, 2025
triggered by obsessions. They involve excessive
PSY 102: General Psychology
handwashing, checking, counting, repeating words
silently, or arranging objects in a specific way Department of Psychology
(APA, 2022). These symptoms may consume a
significant amount of time and disrupt normal
activities, social relationships, and work or school
functioning (NIMH, 2023). Others will know that
their fears are not rational but cannot prevent
themselves from acting on them.
 Treatments
There are several evidence-based therapies for
OCD that have been shown to be effective. The
first-line psychological treatment of choice is
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and this is
an approach called Exposure and Response
Prevention (ERP). ERP assists patients in facing
fears and resisting compulsions, reducing anxiety
in the long term (APA, 2022). Selective Serotonin
Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine or
sertraline are usually used to stabilize the brain
chemicals that underlie the symptoms of OCD
(Stein et al., 2019). For those resistant cases not
treated with usual treatment, Deep Brain
Stimulation (DBS) or Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation (TMS) may be used as
Causes of the Disorder Stigmas neuromodulation therapies for enabling the
modulation of aberrant brain circuits (NIMH,
OCD is brought about by a multifactorial etiology that People with OCD often face harmful stigmas and 2023). Such treatments quite effectively enhance
comprises biological, psychological, and myths. They believe OCD is all about tidiness or the symptoms and quality of life.
environmental aspects. Genetically, having a family cleanliness, when the disorder involves much more
history of OCD heightens the susceptibility of severe distress and irrational concerns (Rachman,
contracting the disease. Neurologically, the 2020). Another myth is that people with OCD can
neurology is comprised of disruption in brain circuits, just stop their compulsion if only they are doing their
specifically orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate best, unaware of the clinical and irresistible
cortex, and striatum participation (Stein et al., 2019). condition. Besides, individuals can be incorrectly
Psychologically, individuals who are perfectionists or tagged as "crazy" or "dangerous" based on a
possess an error-enhanced sensitivity may be more misunderstanding about mental illness, and it will
susceptible. Environmentally, traumatic events, discourage them from getting treated or confiding
chronic stress, or infections such as streptococcal their troubles (Corrigan & Watson, 2002). Such
infections in children (PANDAS) may lead to the stigmas contribute to isolation, shame, and late
development or worsening of symptoms (NIMH, diagnosis and intervention.
2023). The biopsychosocial model provides a
comprehensive explanation of how these interacting
factors result in OCD.