Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Often Misdiagnosed
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 2.2 million adults in the United States suffer with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD can also affect children, and many are red-flagged as problem children or incorrectly labeled as ADHD in school.
In fact, OCD affects anywhere between 1 and 3 percent of school-age children in the United States, according to Elliott Levin, a licensed clinical social worker who runs a support group for OCD children and their parents. Sadly, in addition to enduring high levels of anxiety throughout their childhood, children with OCD who do not receive treatment are prone to depression and alcohol and drug use, and are less likely to stay in school.
OCD is an anxiety disorder, and associated behaviors are a manifestation of the brain’s attempt to cope with overwhelming, if irrational, feelings of fear. Typical OCD behaviors include repeated checking, perfectionism, chronic procrastination or tardiness, repetitive washing, confessing, and inappropriate touching. However, OCD does not always manifest as a physical action or ritual. Symptoms may be largely internal, such as excessive worrying about safety or death, guilt feelings, self-loathing, etc.
Unlike those without OCD, a sufferer is unable to stop obsessing; it is a neuropsychiatric disorder, the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. OCD brains get stuck in negative, cycling thought patterns that can be devastating to their self-esteem and overall well-being. Regardless of their individual symptoms, one thing OCD patients have in common is difficulty in their academic, work, and social relationships.
However, this disorder responds well to treatment, and can often be managed within a few months, without medication, by using cognitive therapy. The gold-standard of such therapy for those with OCD is a 6-week program designed by Dr. Jeffrey M. Schwartz, author of the book “Brain Lock,” which uses proven exercises to change the brain’s chemistry.
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In fact, OCD affects anywhere between 1 and 3 percent of school-age children in the United States, according to Elliott Levin, a licensed clinical social worker who runs a support group for OCD children and their parents. Sadly, in addition to enduring high levels of anxiety throughout their childhood, children with OCD who do not receive treatment are prone to depression and alcohol and drug use, and are less likely to stay in school.
OCD is an anxiety disorder, and associated behaviors are a manifestation of the brain’s attempt to cope with overwhelming, if irrational, feelings of fear. Typical OCD behaviors include repeated checking, perfectionism, chronic procrastination or tardiness, repetitive washing, confessing, and inappropriate touching. However, OCD does not always manifest as a physical action or ritual. Symptoms may be largely internal, such as excessive worrying about safety or death, guilt feelings, self-loathing, etc.
Unlike those without OCD, a sufferer is unable to stop obsessing; it is a neuropsychiatric disorder, the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. OCD brains get stuck in negative, cycling thought patterns that can be devastating to their self-esteem and overall well-being. Regardless of their individual symptoms, one thing OCD patients have in common is difficulty in their academic, work, and social relationships.
However, this disorder responds well to treatment, and can often be managed within a few months, without medication, by using cognitive therapy. The gold-standard of such therapy for those with OCD is a 6-week program designed by Dr. Jeffrey M. Schwartz, author of the book “Brain Lock,” which uses proven exercises to change the brain’s chemistry.
Return to:
Additional Posts
The question of who qualifies for disability benefits
How to qualify for disability
Social security disability lawyers
How do you qualify medically for social security disability?
Social security disability requirements
Requirements to qualify for disability
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