Obsessive Compulsion Disorder, Essay Example

The interviewee for the purposes of this research was my younger sister, age twenty. My sister (interviewee) went through a disturbing childhood as my parents used to argue, fight and raise fingers against each other. This constant arguing has affected her emotionally as well as her cognitive and linguistic skills through adulthood at present.  As a child she was physically abused with beatings and emotionally abused with insults. “This environment is non-conducive to the healthy development of any child. A child victimized by such physical abuse often goes through life learning hampered coping skills with relation to developing relationships hence causing other emotional problems such as depression, anxiety amongst others.” (“Family Environment and Alternative Care”).  “It is in our nature to be social beings but to have a healthy social life we must possess the necessary skills to do so.” (Admin, 2009).  An abused child does not possess such skills for they become either isolated or act out with aggression and ruin all chances of healthy adulthood relationships.

My parents were violent and did not spare any of us. They may or may not have realized the effects of their abuse on us but the evidence speaks for itself. My young sister was too vulnerable and emotionally incapable of defending herself thus she knew no other avenue to seek solace. Besides, my mother and father were drunkards and became more violent whilst intoxicated. Shouting, banging and screaming were the order of the day! This behavior made my sister change her attitude towards people especially strangers. As she grew up, the interviewee went through a difficult time making and keeping friends and did not establish any good relationship with her parents. “It is an established fact that children from alcoholic and violent parents have issues dealing with people and coping with life on life’s terms often becoming violent or repressed.” (Reuters, 2008).  The interviewee was withdrawn and isolated even in school. At times she ignored people assuming they did not exist and were not important to her in any way. This was not done out of malice but as a coping mechanism. This was her way of coping with the trauma at home. She became very isolated.  As a teenager, she developed a negative attitude towards men and she has not been able to acquire a different one even at the age of twenty.  Now that she is an adult at twenty, she is a perfectionist and does not like people interfering with her work or properties. However, she has managed to make friends with her peers as she has learned how to appreciate them after diagnosis and treatment. “Often children from this environment become fixated on their job or become love addicts and attached to a significant other.” (Lowenthall, 1999).  My sister chose to immerse herself in work because this was safer than trying to have a relationship.

Summary of the interview

People suffering from ADD/OCD are aware of their exceptionality even at a very tender age. There is a stigma associated with diagnosis thus many avoid going to a doctor and treatment. Though they may not know exactly what the problem is they realize there is an issue and they often look at themselves as being the problem.  Lack of attention in school affects their learning and this problem may interfere with their career goals in the future. Teachers often view these types of children as disabled children and spend little time addressing the real symptoms.  A diagnosis of this disorder is important as it helps in treatment of the condition. “Medication and counseling are essential in treatment and they can be deployed together to help a person recover.” (“Helping People Cope with OCD”).  People with this problem are conscious of what they do trying to be perfect in virtually everything. Their life was so imperfect as a child they try to make everything they touch in adulthood perfect in order to avoid emotional pain felt as a child.

A person suffering from OCD/ADD can be appreciative of others. They realize other people are part of their lives but it may be difficult for them to know when they make others feel looked down upon. As a matter of fact, they regret their attitude and are willing to change and live a normal life. This can be achieved through support and medication.

The interview has been of great benefit in learning about people with exceptionality. People with OCD have relentless, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and use rituals (compulsions) to control the anxiety produced by these thoughts. However, the rituals may end up controlling them. I have discovered that they may not know that their behavior is not normal but they can change attitude towards other people if treated and counseled.

References

Charles, E. and Laura, S. (2008). Obsessive Compulsion Disorder. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Family Environment and Alternative Care (2009) Retrieved November 29, 2009 from, http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Towards_a_Better_Tomorrow_2b.pdf

Admin (2009) Get Outside It’s in our Nature Retrieved November 29, 2009 from, http://www.youthcanada.ca/article/get-outside-its-our-nature-bc%E2%80%99s-2nd-regional-children-families-and-nature-forum

Reuters (2008) Physical Abuse and Neglect often leads to adult depression Retrieved November 27, 2009 from, http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=10401

Lowenthall, B. (1999) Effects of Maltreatment and Ways to Promote Resiliency Retrieved November 27, 2009 from, http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=LQnWTh2lQZ2P0CKvyYfVJBTzTHn2W6wYvYjmtJLDdpcLSXscjPY0!1681957297!-755419558?docId=5002315362

Helping People Cope with OCD (2008) Retrieved November 27, 2009 from, http://www.ocdchicago.org/index.php/clergy/why_some_dont_recover_from_ocd