Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Chapter 8: OCD: Now and forever
OCD is one of the top mental disorders today. OCD was seen as a rare disease before the 70's. Now it is estimated that 2 or 3 out of a hundred people have it. An explanation for the increased numbers is media exposure. People see it and may identify with certain behavior. Researchers are trying to determine if OCD is a disease. Some researchers think that it is a structural and chemical disorder so it cannot be a disease. While researchers claim that OCD is found the world over, it in fact is not true. OCD does not exist in Taiwan. Certain research indicates a genetic basis for a predisposition to OCD. Analyses of hapolotypes has found correalation between specific genes and the likelihood of having OCD.
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Isn't it crazy how 2 or 3 out of every hundred people have OCD! I agree that media exposure is a valid explanation for this increase, but I just think that there has to be something else out there adding to this rapid growth. For instance, obsessive-compulsive disorder not even existing in Taiwan makes me wonder. OCD is going to continue to be a disease that needs more figuring out.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree media exposure has definitely had a great deal to do with the fact that OCD has grown so rapidly over the years. With tools like the internet you have instant access to the definition, symptoms, and treatments to OCD and I know for a fact many have used this information to self-diagnose themselves. How could OCD have grown so rapidly? and how valid are all the OCD cases reported?
ReplyDeleteWow I wasn't aware of OCD not existing in Taiwan, and when I read that 2 or 3 out of every hundred people have OCD I was dumbfounded. I also agree that media exposure plays a big role in OCd growing so rapidly over the years.
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