A Shallow Dive into OCD Identification and Treatment
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition affecting approximately two percent of the global population. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). OCD is often a long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that he/she feels the urge to perform repeatedly. The Prevalence of OCD The prevalence of OCD worldwide is known through international studies providing intrinsic information-gathering through extensive research. In the United States of America, approximately one percent of the population has been diagnosed with OCD. Interestingly, demographics of OCD in the USA show no real ties to age, gender, race, or socioeconomic factors. However, there seems to be a correlation between OCD and age, indicating an onset of OCD in younger people. The prevalence of OCD among the general population in the USA is seen early in life, with studies by the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R); almost 25% of males presented with OCD symptoms before the age of ten. The onset of OCD in females, in the same study, occurs during adolescence. Individuals aged 18-29 show the highest number of onset diagnoses. Interestingly, according to OCD Statistics-FHE Health, less than two percent of those diagnosed with OCD and other mental health issues come from lower-income homes. OCD Diagnosis OCD diagnosis includes three phases: Psychological evaluation Meeting the diagnostic criteria Physical exam Psychological evaluation includes an honest discussion about thoughts, feelings, symptoms, and behavior patterns, and their possible interference with the quality of life. Diagnostic criteria identified by a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist as set forth by the DSM-5. To rule out other psychological or even physical disorders (comorbid), a physical exam may be administered. Once a person has been correctly diagnosed with OCD and/or with accompanying disability (comorbidity), the individual can then [...]