Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Disease of Doubt
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Disease of Doubt
There are many anxiety disorders that make people act irrationally. One of these disorders is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, also known as the “disease of doubt.” (Mueller p.26) This is because the sufferer cannot rely on what is possible or what will happen in any given situation. OCD is different from other anxiety disorders because the individual is focused more on fear and avoidance of specific thoughts or ideas, as opposed to other anxiety disorders. People that have been diagnosed with OCD are suffering from repetitious obsessions (persistent ideas, thoughts and impulses) or compulsions (repetitive behaviors and mental acts) that try and reduce anxiety. Often, rituals are performed. These are repeated actions which the victim displays. For a moment the sufferer feels relief but is not yet satisfied. They feel if they do not continue with the rituals something horrible will happen to them or their loved ones. This person knows these thoughts are illogical, but continues to fear they may be true. Many OCD sufferers feel like they are going insane because they can not control themselves. When trying to avoid these thoughts and actions, a great deal of anxiety rises. The anxieties and obsessions can become so severe that it causes a person distress, change in daily routines, time-consuming situations, and work or social relationship problems. (Gravitz p.44) One case history about a boy at the age of fourteen stated:
“Alan felt impelled to arrange the shoes and hangers in everyone’s closets so that they were all exactly one inch apart. At times his father had to drag him bodily out of the closet where he was arranging shoes and bring him