Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Essay Example for Free

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Essay Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a form of anxiety disorder which is characterized by both compulsions and obsessions. The obsessions are experienced in form of recurrent, unwanted and disturbing images, thoughts, or impulses which usually pop into the minds of individuals causing them a lot of distress and anxiety (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). This results in compulsions which are repetitive intentional behaviors that are done in a bid to reduce the anxiety brought about by the obsessions. The onset of the disorder is earlier among men than among women (Jakes, 1996). In addition, the condition is more common in whites than in blacks and social class does not influence development of the condition (Jakes, 1996). In children, Strep throat is known to trigger onset of the condition or worsen the condition (Jakes, 1996). This is a case of autoimmunity where the antibodies produced to fight streptococci attacks basal ganglia. There are several ways in which the disease is manifested and an individual could have either a single manifestation or multiple manifestations. One grouping of OCD is referred to as checkers and individuals who fall under this category have compulsions to keep on checking things which could be locks, doors, and appliances in order to prevent potential disasters. They do this because they are afraid of disasters befalling themselves and others due to something they do or they do not do (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). Another manifestation is in form of washers and cleaners. Individuals who fall under this category have the tendency to repeatedly keep on showering, washing their hands, and cleaning the surroundings. This is because they are afraid and worried about contamination by germs and dirt (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). Orderers form another manifestation of OCD where individuals under this category feel compelled to do things in a given, exact way. For example an individual would be obsessed with arranging clothes in a given way. The other group is known as pure obsessionals and individuals in this group keep on having repetitive thoughts which could be in form of counting, praying, or repetition of certain words (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). These compulsions result from troubling intrusive thoughts and images where they think and see themselves harming or endangering others and this leaves them horrified (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). Another grouping of individuals with OCD comprises of individuals with scrupulosity. People under this category are obsessed with moral and religious issues and will compulsively pray or engage in religious services. The last manifestation is in form of hoarders where individuals in this category will collect things which others consider as trash or junk. In most cases, these individuals cannot explain why exactly they collect the items and they usually tend to develop an attachment to these items such that they cannot throw them away (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). The cause of the condition is thought to be genetic but environmental factors do modify its manifestation. Researchers believe that multiple genes are involved in its transmission from generation to generation and these genes are responsible for modifying brain function (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). When these genes are inherited, they cause variations in brain structure, circuitry, and neurochemistry and this inclines one to develop OCD. According to research statistics, the rate of OCD among family members where one individual has the condition is higher than among members of families where no relative has the condition (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). In addition, for majority of the people where the condition appears in childhood, there is usually a blood relative with the condition leading to confirmation that genetic factors are involved. Apart from genetics, environmental factors also play a role in the development of the condition. If individuals who are genetically predisposed to development of the condition are subjected to factors in the environment that stress them, then they are more likely to develop the condition. These stressing factors include childhood neglect, family stress, death, physical trauma, psychological trauma, illness, and divorce (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). In addition, people who are genetically predisposed to development of the condition can develop the disease as they go through major transitions in life which could be adolescence, marriage, retirement or parenthood. Studies have shown that serotonin is involved in the development of OCD (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which enables communication between brain cells. In people with OCD, brain imaging reveals abnormalities in some areas of the brain and these are usually the basal ganglia, the cingulate gyrus, the thalamus, and orbital cortex (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). These are the brain areas that are involved in the following: processing of information received from the world, sorting of this information based on importance, they enable one to concentrate on tasks being undertaken, and they also alert one to danger. For people who have this condition, these brain areas work overtime, and they focus on ideas and thoughts that are intrusive which under normal circumstances would be filtered out (Hyman Pedrick, 2009). There are several signs and symptoms that characterize OCD. Though the objects of obsession vary slightly from individual to individual, the manifestations of the disorder are usually the same. One of these is obsession and compulsions which usually take more than an hour each day and which interferes with the individuals’ normal lives (Domino, 2007). The obsessions are usually recurrent and the patients usually try to ignore the thoughts or they neutralize these thoughts with compulsions. The individuals with these compulsions and obsessions usually have no other mental disorders (Domino, 2007). The compulsions are also repetitive and deliberate and they are aimed at neutralizing the obsessive thoughts. There are usually no specific tests for this condition and diagnosis is usually based on presence of the above signs and symptoms after which differential diagnosis is made (Lippincott Williams Wilkins, 2008). After OCD is confirmed, several tests are done to determine severity and nature of the compulsions and obsessions. They include the Maudley obsessional compulsive inventory, the Yale brown Obsessive compulsive scale, and Leyton obsessional inventory (Domino, 2007). There is need for differential diagnosis in people suspected to have this condition. Distinguishing this condition from other disorders such as mood disorders, other anxiety disorders, impulsive spectrum disorders, Padua inventory, obsessive compulsive personality disorders (OCPD), impulsive spectrum disorders, and delusional disorders can be challenging. Accurate diagnosis requires a careful evaluation of an individual’s history. There is need to differentiate depression caused by OCD from that caused by others factors. It is also important to differentiate between OCD and trichotillomania where in trichotillomania just like in OCD individuals get relief out of pulling their hair but have no obsessive thoughts (Hollander Stein, 1997). Another condition requiring differential diagnosis is schizophrenia which is also characterized by obsession and rituals though the rituals in schizophrenic individuals are usually purposeless (Hollander Stein, 1997). In addition, other symptoms of schizophrenia are absent. Since some OCD patients also experience panic attacks, this can make OCD to be confused with panic disorder. However, OCD panic attacks are secondary to obsessional fears (Hollander Stein, 1997). Differential diagnosis between OCD and OCPD is also required since OCPD patients exhibit symptoms that are similar to those of OCD such as preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism (Hollander Stein, 1997). However, in OCPD there is no obsession and compulsions. Borderline personality disorder may also be confused with OCD as patients also experience strong feelings and thoughts about certain issues. There are several approaches that are employed in the care of OCD patients. The treatments used include behavioral therapies, medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. Medications used are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and they include sertraline, paroxetine, cilatopram, and fluvoxamine (Domino, 2007). Medications are usually combined with cognitive behavioral therapy. The behavioral therapies usually include exposure therapy and ritual prevention therapy. For ritual prevention, the patients are helped to resist urges to engage in compulsive behavior for long while in exposure therapy individuals are subjected to the factors that compel them to behave compulsively and then helped to resist the urges (Hollander Stein, 1997). Cognitive behavioral therapy involves helping the patients to change their negative thoughts and behaviors. At other times, cognitive behavioral therapy is administered to a group. Response to treatment varies with age where medications are less effective in children and adolescents while adults respond well to treatment with a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medications (Hollander Stein, 1997). References Domino, F. J. (2007). The 5-minute clinical consult. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams Wilkins. Hollander, E. Stein, D. J. (1997). Obsessive compulsive disorders: diagnosis, etiology treatment. London: Informa health care Hyman, B. C. Pedrick, C. (2009). Obsessive compulsive disorder. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. Jakes, I. (1996). Theoretical approaches to obsessive compulsive disorder. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press Lippincott Williams Wilkins. (2008). Nurse’s 3-minute clinical reference. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams Wilkins.

Purpose of Sunday School

Purpose of Sunday School Respected Achen, parents, children, and my friends. Jesus Christ, the greatest teacher of all, loved children dearly. In Matthew Chapter 18 verse 6, Jesus said for whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Today, December 5th, our church is celebrating Sunday school day, and its the perfect time to stop and reflect on the true importance of Sunday school/ in the lives of the children of our congregation,/ the future of our church. Whether we acknowledge it or not, todays world can be a very dangerous place, with sin and bad influences surrounding us/ almost everywhere we go. In this world, Sunday school acts as a safe place where children can create strong ties and friendships/ with their peers/ and with Jesus Christ. Beyond this role, Sunday school has Five Key responsibilities that it fulfills in our children, and well look at each of these responsibilities separately today. The first and simplest task of Sunday school is/ to teach the Bible to our children. We learn about Gods love as we hear its stories and parables. When most people are asked, What is the most important thing children learn in Sunday school? the answer is often the Bible. In Sunday school, children develop a Christian understanding of the purposes of Scripture. Through these experiences with the Bible in Sunday school, they learn to recognize Gods call to them. The second task of Sunday school is to help us accept Gods grace. Knowing facts from the Bible is not enough. In fact, many non-Christians know more about the Bible than some of us who are Christians. Therefore, knowledge of the Bible doesnt create Christians. What impels a person to become a Christian is the belief that the words of the Bible are Gods message to us. It is the recognition that Gods love shown through Jesus Christ is real. It is the acceptance of Gods saving grace offered through Jesus Christ that enables one to become the person God created him or her to be. Thirdly, Sunday school helps us grow in Christian faith. Christian faith becomes a reality when the lessons of the Bible and our personal experiences of Gods love inspire us to love God and to trust Gods guidance, as we make decisions about our lives each day. Christians want to learn more about Jesus teachings and discover the gifts of God that come through the Holy Spirit. Christians also want to turn their full attention to learning more about what it means to live as a person of faith. They arent satisfied simply knowing the Bible and believing in God; instead Christians want to grow in their understanding of Gods purposes. They want their relationship with God to grow deeper day by day and year by year. The fourth responsibility that Sunday School holds is to guide our children to become mature members of a Christian community. Sunday school teaches us that the ability to grow in relationship to God is possible only in fellowship with other Christians. Although Christians value time alone in prayer and communion with God, we also welcome times to praise God and give thanks for Gods gracious love/ in worship and prayer with one another. Through the bond of Christian relationship that develops, Christians strengthen one another so that they are able to carry their experience of Gods presence and love/ into the activities of their everyday lives. Last and certainly not least, the ultimate task that Sunday school strives to meet is to help its students answer Gods Call to Christian living. Living a Christian life does not come automatically. It comes through study, worship, and learning together. When people learn to follow the example of Jesus Christ, they become Christian examples, revealing the love of God through their own actions at home, at work, at play, or anywhere they may be. Sunday school builds a yearning to follow the example of Jesus, which leads Christians to recognize the needs of others and to seek ways to serve in Gods name. However, Sunday school should not be the end of our religious education. Sunday school is only the beginning for children and youth in their lifelong process of learning, growing, and serving in Christ. Christian education is a never-ending process that is enabled in Christian community, as Christians continue to study, worship, and serve together. The lessons of Christian education make it possible for us to practice love and to live as children of God. How well we learn those lessons day by day will determine what kind of church we are Sunday by Sunday. Ultimately, fostering and nourishing our Sunday school is a sacred responsibility. To give our religious education less than our best would be unfaithful to the life God has called us to live and to the world God has called us to serve. If there is ever a generation somewhere, sometime, that does not know the power of Gods love, it will be because some generation did not continue to teach and learn. The greatest gift that our church has to offer to the children is the strong faith that has been passed down through the generations, so lets take this day to appreciate just how important Sunday school is for the future of our congregation.

Fermat’s Last Theorem Essay -- Pierre Fermat Math Mathematics Papers

Fermat’s Last Theorem The year is 1637. Pierre de Fermat sits in his library, huddled over a copy of Arithmetica written by the Greek mathematician Diaphantus in the third century A. D. Turning the page, Fermat comes across the Pythagorean equation: x 2 + y 2 = z 2. He leans back in his chair to think and wonders if this property is limited to the power of two only. He bends over the book again, scanning ahead through the pages to look for any clues. Suddenly, he begins writing intensely in the margin: â€Å"It is impossible for a cube to be written as a sum of two cubes, or for a fourth power to be written as the sum of two fourth powers or, in general, for any number which is a power greater than the second to be written as a sum of two like powers. I have a truly marvelous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain.† These words, written so carelessly, were to survive to bewilder, frustrate and elude mathematicians of all kinds for centuries to come. This is the legend of Fermat’s Last Theorem. Pierre de Fermat was born in the town of Beaumont-de-Lomagne in southwestern France at the beginning of the seventeenth century in the year 1601. Being the son of a wealthy merchant, Fermat was able to gain a privileged education at monasteries and universities. The young man, however, never showed any particular strength in the subject of mathematics, choosing instead to pursue a career in the civil service of France. His elevated status in society allowed him to include the â€Å"de† in his surname. He suffered a serious attack of the plague during his adult life, severe enough to prompt friends to mistakenly pronounce him dead! Fermat never made math his career, but mathematics at th... ... Kolata, Gina. â€Å"How a gap in the Fermat proof was found.† The New York Times, 144 (January 1995): B5. Expanded Academic ASAP. Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT. 15 September 2002. Mackenzie, Dana. â€Å"Fermat’s Last Theorem Extended.† Science 285.5425 (July 1999): 178. Expanded Academic ASAP. Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT. 15 September 2002. Mozzochi, C. J. The Fermat Diary. American Mathematical Society, 2000. Ribenboim, Paulo. Fermat’s Last Theorem for Amateurs. New York: Springer, 1999. Singh, Simon. â€Å"Fermat’s Enigma: the Epic Quest to Solve the World’s Greatest Mathematical Problem.† New York: Walker, 1997. Van der Poorten, Alf. Notes on Fermat’s last theorem. New York: J. Wiley, 1996. Weisstein, Eric W. â€Å"Fermat, Pierre de.† Wolfram Research. http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/Fermat.html (14 September 2002.)

The Rise and Subsequent Fall of the Third Reich Essays -- Weimar Repub

The Rise and Subsequent Fall of the Third Reich Living in the crumbled remains of Germany, or the Weimar Republic, in the 1920’s was a dismal existence. Hyperinflation was rampant and the national debt skyrocketed as a result of the punishing features of the Treaty of Versailles. During the depression, however, a mysterious Austrian emerged from the depths of the German penal system and gave the desperate German people a glimpse of hope in very dark times. He called for a return to â€Å"Fatherland† principles where greater Germany was seen as the center of their universe with zealous pride. Under Hitler’s leadership, Nazi Germany rapidly grew and expanded, continually approaching the goal of world domination and the â€Å"Thousand-Year Reich† that Hitler promised the German people. Only a few years later, Nazi Wehrmacht soldiers could be seen marching the streets from Paris to Leningrad (St. Petersburg, Russia). The German Empire, however, like all other expansive empires, had its limits and int egral components such as resources, manpower, and industrial capacity began to fall in short supply further crippling the Nazi war machine. Basically, by 1944, â€Å"Nazi Germany’s fundamental problem was that she has conquered more territory than she could defend† (Ambrose, 27). Hitler conquered a vast area and vowed to defend every single inch of his empire with every last drop of blood at his disposal. As Frederick the Great warned, â€Å"He who defends everything, defends nothing† (Ambrose, 33). It is interesting to study any empire’s rise and fall because similarities are always present, even with some nations today promising to fight the evil, when it reality, it might be becoming what it vows to fight. The story of the rise of the Thi... ... in is destined for some sort of collapse. Nobody in this world would like to compare their own nation to fascist Germany or any other fallen empire but numerous similarities can be found. There is increasing resistance to the government and its actions which are facilitated by the fact that our Constitution allows us to do so freely. Our social security system is going to collapse in the near future if not efficiently revised as those receiving it continue to grow. Military forces are continually being depleted to maintain order in our occupied territories of Afghanistan and Iraq. Where does the expansion end? The United States can not keep tying up its most vital resources abroad. It is an increasing economic cost that has little hope of decreasing anytime soon. Expansion has proved fatal for all nations throughout history. Are we next? I sure hope not.

Essay on Brutalities of African Society in Chinua Achebes Things Fall

Brutalities of African Society Exposed in Things Fall Apart      Ã‚   David Carroll writes, of the novel Things Fall Apart, "This incident is not only a comment on Okonkwo's heartlessness. It criticizes implicitly the laws he is too literally implementing..." (Carroll) The incident that David Carroll refers to is the death of Ikemefuna. Ikemefuna was a young boy who was handed over to the village of Umuofia as compensation for the murder of one of that village's citizens. He is handed over to Okonkwo, a great man in the village, to whom he gives every affection. The brief life with Okonkwo and death of this innocent young man, and the life of Okonkwo himself, is a microcosm of life in Umuofia. Inconsistencies, brutalities, and conflict abound in even the highest of Umuofian life. And as Ikemefuna is led off to be murdered by the man he calls father, "the whole tribe and its values is being judged and found wanting" (Carroll).    When Ikemefuna first arrives in Umuofia, he is housed with Okonkwo because Okonkwo is a great man in the village. He had reached his prime and was a man of wealth. Ikemefuna quickly befriended Okonkwo's eldest son and began calling Okonkwo "father." Soon, however, this seeming peace and civility in the village and the life of the villagers disappears. Okonkwo receives a message from the village elders that the boy, the town's innocence, must be killed off. The boy is lead off to the slaughter completely unaware of his fate, and with his "father" in the company of the killers. When a machete is drawn and the black pot atop Ikemefuna's head is cut down, the boy runs to the man he loved as father. It is he who, lacking the courage to confront the others with his love for the boy, draws his machete and... ...e on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart" (Achebe, 176). The village of Umuofia held to backward laws and values that "destroy innocent children" (Achebe, 146). The tribe's innocence had to die in order for those who survived to mature. Although Umuofia's peak of innocence may have been when Ikemefuna was handed over to the village, but its maturity would come through the death of Ikemefuna, the tribe's innocence, at the hands of those the tribe called "father." Things Fall Apart clearly illustrates the faults of the African system and way of life through "the series of catastrophes which end with his [Okonkwo's and Umuofia's] death" (Carroll).    Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York, New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc., 1994. Carroll, David. Chinua Achebe. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1980.

Price and Rubbermaid

Abdul Javeed Sociology 300 February 14, 2010 Wal-Mart analysis Wal-Mart can be analyzed using both Structural Function and Social Conflict theory. Structural function theory believes that society is a complex system of interconnected and interrelated social structures each having a function and working together to promote social stability. There is an inherent tendency to balance and equilibrium. The following three points define why Wal-Mart can be analyzed using Structural function theory: They keep their prices low but make profits on high volume and fast turnover. Wal-Mart is most admired for its reputation in cost cutting and low prices. Wal-Mart is known to have very low and cheap prices for their products. It stops the need to go look for a bargain at other stores because we know that we won’t find a better deal elsewhere. This way we not only save money but time and gas too. Driving around to different stores to buy all the products is time and gas consuming. Low cost imports from Asia were vital components for Wal-Mart’s low opening price point strategy. Social Conflict theory believes that society is not integrated but actually full of unequal divisions. It has scarce and limited social resources PWP. It is in constant competition for them and conflict Is the result. Thus the emerging social structures benefit some in obtaining or retaining PWP at the expense of others. The following three points define why Wal-Mart can also be analyzed using Social Conflict theory: America’s best known brand Rubbermaid, maker of plastic containers, garbage bins was virtually in every home in one way or another. Rubbermaid supplied to big chains like Wal-Mart. Rubbermaid was struggling to maintain its ambitious growth targets. Then suddenly the material cost for Rubbermaid increased and hence they had to increase the price of their products. Some retailers agreed with the price increase but Wal-Mart did not. So it was the first signs of declines for Rubbermaid. Wal-Mart pullback was a blow to Rubbermaid and later its plant closed. Close to 1000 jobs were lost at Rubbermaid. Rubbermaid with its reputation of quality was most admired. Wal-Mart with its reputation for cost cutting was most admired. Hence Wal-Mart used its PWP to control Rubbermaid and indirectly let it shutdown. It had power over Rubbermaid and forced it to lower its costs. Rubbermaid couldn’t do it and so Wal-Mart stopped doing business with them, and so Rubbermaid shutdown. Wal-Mart used its PWP and by this a proud American Company was shutdown and many lost jobs. Impact of Chinese export boom has been felt all over USA. Wal-Mart used it PWP to indirectly shutdown a company called Thomson Consumer Electronics which was an American Television Manufacturer. Thomson stated to see a sharp foreign competition; they saw Chinese products being sold at a price that most American manufacturers couldn’t manufacture at. Five electronics sued the Chinese TV manufacturer but was stunned to see that Wal-Marttook the side of Chinese manufacturer. But Thomson plant shutdown and lot of people lost their jobs due to Chinese competition. Wal-Mart used its PWP and was bringing in cheap Chinese imports and so caused American manufacturer hard to keep in competition.

Conflict Can Have Tragic Consequences for Ordinary People Essay

As humans, conflict pervades every aspect of our lives; it is inevitable. However, conflict varies on a scale. With a minor conflict being an argument between two friends, which therefore has a minor outcome that soon becomes forgotten, or it can be a severe conflict, such as war, which results in a large life-changing result. The most tragic consequence of war is the impact on innocent parties. The brutalities in history, which ordinary people have faced as a result of conflict resulting into war, are repulsive. People caught in such conflicts face death, mutilation, rape, starvation, homelessness, poverty, disease and the breakdown of families. Even more of an act of violence is that these people who are affected are not even involved in the politics of why the war is occurring. They are simply innocent victims of war who must face the consequences of their countries actions, not their own. Because of Japans attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 which killed 2,403 people (68 of which were civilians) America retaliated and decided to put an end to the war by forcing Japan to surrender. To do so, American forces, dropped two nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This attack eventuated to the death of an estimated 200,000 Japanese civilians. Racial, ideological, political and religious conflicts that arise in countries often result in war, with many innocent people being killed in the process of fighting over who is ‘right’. The Holocaust, which was a result of many societies who envied or distrusted Jewish people, and Hitler, who exploited this hatred, secretly attempting genocide in the disguise of subjugating the race which resulted in the death of just under six million Jews. Although the Holocaust is not regarded as a conflict of war because there was no fighting apart from in a few cases, it is considered a racial conflict because of the mass murdering of innocent people who didn’t do anything. Everyone around the world is affected by wars and conflicts because it destroys homes and also drives up the cost of living. The cost of certain items has gone up because the cost of producing them has increased but the labour has decreased due to many being killed or sent into the army. In addition, citizens are affected by having their family members sent off to fight in the war. The change in income can be positive or negative, depending on what job you left behind. For some, being called back into active duty means leaving a 6 figure salary behind. For others, it’s a chance to save up and/or pay off some debts. Another detail often forgotten is that some young families have babies on the way when the father is sent off to war, or very young children. They change so quickly! The fathers are deprived of the joy of watching them grow up, and the children don’t have the advantage of having both parents around to raise them. Conflict created by wars have tragic consequences for ordinary civilians, it could be a positive or negative consequence.