Childhood Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (Essay Sample)

Childhood Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Childhood Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Children are susceptible to many health complications that require immediate and professional scrutiny and medication. Among these health conditions is Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Children suffering from OCD tend to display obsessive thoughts not needed. As children grow, they tend to develop obsessive thoughts and rituals that take place with defined purposes and intentions based on age. Different children usually have to adapt different routines revolving around meals, taking a shower, and sleeping. These activities are important in stabilizing the expectations that they might have and their depiction of the world. While in school, children engage in different activities and sports that keep them engaged in learning how to manage anxiety and socialize. Nonetheless, when a child develops OCD, obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals become dominant and recurrent.
Background and Significance of OCD
OCD among children is a severe condition linked to distinct distressing symptoms, including recurrent, disturbing thoughts, and worrying time-consuming compulsions. According to Nazeer, Latif, Mondal, Azeem, and Greydanus (2020), OCD is a psychiatric condition associated with tenacious and undesirable obsessions and compulsions. OCD interferes with the quality of life of affected children and is often linked to other mental conditions (Nazeer et al., 2020). Nazeer et al. (2020) indicate that OCD is a chronic condition that happens to affect many children with a wide range of behaviors associated with obsession and compulsion to evident OCD. Often, there have been many reported instances of under-diagnosed cases of OCD.
Over the years, interested researchers have dedicated their time and effort in defining the cause and best remedies for OCD. Even with many studies on OCD existing, Brock and Hany (2020) indicate that the root cause of OCD is unknown, but it has a multifactorial likelihood. Brock and Hany (2020) further claim that there are chances of a genetic predisposition, noting that 45 percent to 65 percent of OCD has some close relation to genetic aspects. Having a person suffering from OCD in a family heightens the probability of offspring developing OCD (Brock & Hany, 2020). However, OCD might also exist in an individual without any association to genetic factors in a family. Some infections, including streptococcal, might end up triggering OCD or even adversely deteriorating the health of an individual. OCD is associated with many symptoms among children.
Every child suffering from OCD might display different symptoms. Some of these might comprise thrilling mania with dirt, recurrent uncertainties, and extended periods spend un touching things, making counts, and or lengthy thinking about numbers (Cedars Sinai, 2020). Children with OCD might display interfering thoughts, including violence, hurting someone, and harming themselves. Other closely related symptoms comprise too much disturbing conditions about depraved scenarios occurring, excessive detailed attention, hostile thoughts, and preoccupation with order and symmetry (Cedars Sinai, 2020). Looking at compulsive behaviors among children with OCD, such children might display repetitive handwashing, repetitive counting and recounting, asking identical questions every now and then, and hoarding objects, and intense regular checking and rechecking (Cedars Sinai, 2020). Different researchers have attempted to examine the statistics of children affected by OCD in different parts of the world.
OCD has different negative implications on children's lives either in the early stages or later in life. Nazeer et al. (2020) indicate that for the past several years, OCD has thrived variably in 1 percent to 4 percent of individuals, including children and adolescents globally, leading to adverse effects on the way they lead their life. An estimate of four in 10 individuals with OCD contract it from chronic conditions, and most of them will end up hiding their OCD condition from the public (Nazeer et al., 2020). Nazeer et al. (2020) cite the World Health Organization (WHO) that has rated OCD to be among the lead handicapping disorders affecting people. Approximately 5 percent of individuals with OCD usually develop onset symptoms in childhood and adolescent phases, as the chances are low for an individual to contract OCD above the age of 40 years (Brock & Hany, 2020). As OCD affects different individuals in distinct states, many researchers are still on the wake in determining its prevalence and diverse implications on human life.
Table 1: OCD Prevalence by Population Group CITATION Bey19 \l 1033 (BeyondOCD.org, 2019)
Population Group

U.S.A. Population

Michigan

Children

1 in every 100 children

1 in every 100 children

Adults

1 in every 40 children

2.3 percent of U.S.A. population

Surveillance and Reporting
Many public and private organizations and researchers have been on the forefront in developing research on OCD. CDC has been among the organizations that have played a crucial role in carrying out research on various diseases affecting the community (Wang & Rosenman, 2018). Through cooperation with other interested parties, CDC has been successful in coming up with studies focusing on distinct health complications (Centers for disease Control and Prevention, 2020), likely to attack the public, as stresses Wang and Rosenman (2018). Focusing on a state such as Michigan, it has been working closely with CDC in keeping the trend of some common diseases affecting the public (Wang & Rosenman, 2018). In place is the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor System (MiBRFSS), a system that has proved effective in monitoring health aspects of the state (Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, 2020). MiBRFSS is a summation of annual phone surveys of individuals residing in Michigan (Wang & Rosenman, 2018). The case developed by Wang and Rosenman (2018) indicates that through the MiBRFSS data, it has been possible to assess the prevalence of health risks and chronic conditions in Michigan. From a general overview of the data provided by MiBRFSS, it is possible for interested researchers and government to keep track of OCD implication on a particular group in Michigan.
In Michigan, there are already initial phases underway based on developing OCD Michigan foundation. OCD Michigan focuses on engaging and accepting the community's input on matters to do with OCD (International OCD Foundation, 2020). OCD Michigan focuses on welcoming people with OCD and residing in Michigan, their families, friends, researchers, mental health experts, educators, and interested community parties (International OCD Foundation, 2020). Through OCD Michigan, its main focus is informing and letting people in Michigan know about the adverse implications associated with OCD, its unique possible challenges, and how to remedy, control, or manage the condition (International OCD Foundation, 2020). Whether an individual has OCD or if they know of a person who does, OCD Michigan has available resources that can support them in coping with the health complication.
Epidemiological Analysis
OCD affects many individuals with relatives or friends suffering from OCD. Many individuals with OCD display an onset from their childhood and adolescent years CITATION Nat06 \l 1033 (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (Great Britain), 2006). In many occurrences, those suffering from OCD are nervous on the status of their health CITATION Nat06 \l 1033 (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (Great Britain), 2006). An approximate of 90 percent of those with OCD display distinct coexisting psychiatric diagnoses, including anxiety disorders (Brock & Hany, 2020). From a general dimension, Nazeer et al. (2020) indicates that OCD can kick off during childhood, and approximately eight in every ten individuals contracting OCD display symptoms by the time, they turn eighteen years. Even though there is a lot of research done on the health implications associated with OCD, it is also important to point out that there are socioeconomic implications associated with the same health complication.
Diverse health implications of a chronic diseases are in most instances linked to social and economic aspects, whereby OCD is no exception. The likelihood of individuals from low socioeconomic status being subject to OCD is high (Williams, Taylor, Himle, & Chatters, 2018). This is a translation that groups from low socioeconomic status have more likelihood of having several people with unattended OCD (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (Great Britain), 2006). As a reaction, different governments, researchers, and organizations have recognized that medication of OCD in low socioeconomic communities is an important measure (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (Great Britain), 2006). According the necessary attention to the affected individuals irrespective of socioeconomic status is important in ensuring the wellbeing of the nation.
Screening and Guidelines
Just like many chronic complications affecting children, OCD is subject to diagnosis. OCD diagnosis incorporates an intense medical history and physical scrutiny and analytical consultations with psychological checkups (Nazeer et al., 2020). Diagnosis children might be a complicated and puzzling process because some children might be reluctant or terrified of speaking ...