VIM MSU's Spring 2022 Issue

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a chronic, longstanding disorder in which a person experiences repeated uncontrollable behaviors of obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions are recurring thoughts, urges or images that can cause anxiety and other disorders. Frequent obsessions include fear of germs and contamination and unwanted thoughts of sex, religion, harm, etc.

age of 35 is still possible. Many factors can explain the cause, including genetics, brain structure, functioning and environment.

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a person struggling with OCD does in response to obsessions. Many people struggle with compulsive counting, excessive cleaning or repeatedly checking on many things. OCD is one of the most common mental disorders, yet despite its prominence, it is still largely misrepresented in the media and within society.

NIMH also said that some individuals with OCD can have a corresponding tic disorder, in which they experience brief, repetitive and uncontrollable movements that hinder their day-to-day functioning. Motor tics can include excessive eye blinking, facial grimacing and head or shoulder jerking, while vocal tics can include excessive throat-clearing, sniffing or grunting sounds, as well as unfiltered speech.

OCD is normally treated with medication, typically serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective-SRIs; psychotherapy, typically cognitive behavioral therapy and habit reversal training; or a combination of the two. However, even if a patient’s brain responds positively to treatment, NIMH states that a continuation of symptoms is possible.

Be careful with your words:

Graphics: Lauren Slawin

The media plays a significant According to the Anxiety Living with OCD is more complex than cleanliness role in shaping the public and Depression Association perception of OCD. Many of America, OCD affects 2.2 often resort to stereotypes when million adults, or 1% of the U.S. portraying those with OCD. In TV population. The disorder doesn’t shows and movies, those with OCD are discriminate, and is equally common among all races, sexual orientations, gender identities and portrayed as “neat freaks” or perfectionists who socioeconomic classes. The average age of onset reported have to repeat certain tasks a number of times and these compulsions are often depicted in a humorous by the ADAA is 19, with 25% of those cases occurring manner. However, this portrayal ignores the fact that as early as 14 and one-third of affected adults having individuals experiencing OCD go through numerous experienced the first symptoms in their childhood. negative emotions such as anxiety, fear and stress, which drives their compulsions. The National Institute of Mental Health reported Seeing falsely portrayed groups of people isn’t uncommon that an earlier age of onset is more as media creators often use stereotypes to promote a sense of familiarity in a character, thus drawing in engagement common in and viewers. However, the stereotype of OCD in the males over media leaves out vital information and constructs a false females, and potentially harmful narrative. but the onset after the

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