Anxiety of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Diagnosis (Essay Sample)

Anxiety of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Diagnosis
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Introduction
Abramowitz, McKay & Taylor, 2008 describes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by unreasonable, thoughts, images and fears (obsessions) that compel a person to perform repeatedly ritualistic things. Most people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are aware of the that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, however, trying to ignore them makes the person feel distressed, and the only way to ease the stressful fillings is by performing the acts (compulsion).
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is either treated with psychotherapy or medication and in extreme cases both methods are used. In psychotherapy, the patient is taught different ways of thinking and reacting to situations that lead him or her to have uncontrollable anxiety. Most of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder patients are prescribed to take anti-anxiety and antidepressants. Antidepressants are known to have very severe effects. Therefore, anybody prescribed to use them are closely monitored (Abramowitz, McKay & Taylor, 2008).
Sassano-Higgins & Pato, 2015 describes some of the symptoms related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which include: having repeated unwanted thoughts, having repeated unwanted images about the different things, not able to control the unwanted thoughts or pictures. They spend most of their time on the irrational thoughts and behaviors, and they have very little time to attend their daily work.
The exact cause of the disease has not been identified, but the abundant researchers about the disorder have identified abnormalities, serotonin and brain chemicals as some of the primary cause. Research has also established that the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder conditions sometimes follow a family lineage.
Lisa is suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that is the reason she is always fearful of coming into contact with anything that might be contaminated. It is the reason she is worried that the money she handles has bacteria and viruses that she believes will cause illness. This is the reason after every transaction she hurries to the bathroom to wash her hands. Despite spending a significant part of her day washing and using hand sanitizer, she constantly doubts her cleanliness. She showers twice daily and systematically washes each body part starting with her head and working down to her feet, and to avoid spreading germs at home. Lisa showers twice daily and systematically washes each body part starting with her head and working down to her feet. This often takes her one hour each time. She carefully sanitizes dishes using several wash cycles, and even uses her elbow to flip light switches. Lisa's husband often assists with the daily cleaning to reassure her that the house is clean. These unusual behaviors are clear signs that she is suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves gradually exposing the patient to an object he or she fears or is obsessed of and let him or her learn the better way to overcome the unnatural anxiety. This exercise is challenging and demanding, and it takes sacrifice and practice. However, the sacrifice pays as the patients enjoy better life ones he or she learns to manage the obsessions and compulsions (Sassano-Higgins & Pato, 2015).
Medications
The most commonly used psychiatric medications to control obsessions and compulsions are antidepressants and anti-anxiety. Some of the antidepressants commonly used include Clomipramine, Fluvoxamine, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, and Sertraline. The anti-drugs used include benzodiazepines such as Valium, Ativan, and Xanax. (Sassano-Higgins & Pato, 2015)
Some of the possible benefits a patient enjoys after use of the antidepressants include reduced depression, reduced obsessive-compulsive disorder, reduced or no abnormal, reduced unusual panic and anxiety .the drugs are also well tolerable for many patients, and they are safe in overdose. The antidepressants have no withdrawal effects; they have no addiction, and they do not promote weight gain. Anti- anxiety, on the other hand, makes the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder patient relax and feel calm. These drugs are very popular as they are fast acting-typically bringing relief within a short period.
Side effects
Some of the psychiatric medications side effects include stomach upset, sleep disturbance as well as, reduced sexual interest. Also, the medications can have dangerous interactions with other medications, alcohol, foods or other substances that the p...