Creative Title: My Brain is Itching.
Specific Purpose: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has three main causes, possible adverse effects and ways of overcoming it.
Introduction
I. (Attention Getter) “WHY DID YOU MOVE MY BOOKS?! THEY WERE IN PERFECT ORDER!” came a cry from afar. Imagine having to live with the constant feeling of obsession and anxiety. With a sick crave for perfection and stability. Constantly having a nagging voice that demands and never leaves till it’s fed.
II. (Reveal the topic) Being the 4th most common mental illness, OCD plagues the lives of millions in this world. It is characterized by intrusive and constant obsessions, unreasonable fears and anxiety. (Nicholas, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments”)
III. (Credibility statement) I have a really close relative that has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and I’ve seen how this condition has personally affected him and those around him, that including me.
IV. (Preview Statement) To shed some light on this issue, I am going to inform you about the causes of OCD, the adverse effects and as well as ways a person may deal with it.
(Transition: So, to start things off, I’m going to talk about the causes of OCD.)
BODY
I. (Main Point 1) OCD can be prompt by genetic, cognitive or situational factors, or a combination. (Nicholas, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments”)
A. (Subpoint 1) It is said to be a “familial disorder”, as it can be passed down from one generation to another. A study shows that a person related to someone with OCD is 12 to 14 times more likely to contract the condition. (Nicholas, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments”)
1. (Sub-subpoint 1) Scientists have not yet discovered a particular gene as the cause of OCD. (Nicholas, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments”)
a. (Sub-sub-subpoint 1) However, research points to the imbalance of the neurotransmitter, Serotonin, as a factor. This body chemical is known to maintain mood balance, and a lack of it will lead to depression and anxiety, which is a key factor in OCD. (Nemours, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
b. (Sub-sub-subpoint 2) Unfortunately, a deficit in serotonin
can be passed down genetically. (Nemours, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”)
B. (Subpoint 2) Everyone has experienced unwanted and fearful thoughts. It could be thoughts of getting shot on the street or even getting spanked for playing with your food. Most people are able to shake these thoughts away, but those who inherently have OCD, find it very hard to do so. (Nicholas, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments”)
1. (Sub-subpoint) OCD intensifies these thoughts and makes it seem like reality. It plays them over and over again in a person’s brain, making it an obsession.
a. (Sub-sub-subpoint 1) Facing OCD since childhood, Adam Shaw suffered from intense fear of killing someone, and it got worse as the years went by. He became a successful businessman with a beautiful family but he constantly worried that he’ll end up murdering them one day, so he carried a pair of handcuffs in his pocket wherever he went, and often locked himself in his room. (Barcroft TV, “Extreme OCD Made Me Believe I Was A Murderer)
C. (Subpoint 3) Traumatic brain Injury and extreme stress are major triggers of OCD. (Nicholas, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments”)
1. (Sub-subpoint 1) A research found that approximately 30 percent of TBI patients aged six to 18 years old, experience traits of OCD within one year of their injury. (Nicholas, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments”)
2. (Sub-subpoint 2) Experiencing a traumatic incident, or even just having to deal with the over-barring pressures of everyday life can increase the symptoms of OCD in someone already predisposed to it. (OCD UK, “What Causes OCD”)
(Transition: Now that we have covered the causes of OCD, I’m going to move on to the effects)
II. (Main Point 2) OCD can affect a person in so many ways, but these impacts can be generalized into three main groups- obsessions, compulsions, and relationship issues. (HELPGUIDE.ORG, “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”)
A. (Subpoint 1) Just like Adam Shaw, people with OCD tend to face obsessions commonly about contamination, religion, losing control, violence, sexual thoughts, or perfection and symmetry. (HELPGUIDE.ORG, “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”)
1. (Sub-subpoint 1) Obsessions can range from minute to extreme fears.
a. (Sub-sub-subpoint 1) Andrew, a 24-year-old guy, has a peculiar fear of the number 13. Laura, a 17-year old has an obsessive fear of bad smells and another child panics when he sees buttons.
(Bbcdocuchannel, “Extreme OCD Camp Episode 1 BBC documentary 2013 Journey to the American Wilderness”)
b. (Sub-sub-subpoint 2) Howie Mendel, a famous Canadian comedian, suffered from severe contamination anxiety. It got so bad to the point where, he wouldn’t touch or be touched by anyone else, took excessive showers and couldn’t even tie his shoes, because he didn’t want to touch them. (ABC News, Howie Mandel Talks About Living With OCD”)
B. (Subpoint 2) Following obsessions are compulsions. Not being
able to control them, those with OCD create daily routines and practices to avoid fears. These practices can be broken down into two categories-Overt compulsions and covert compulsions. (OCD UK, “What Causes OCD”)
1. (Sub-subpoint 1) Overt compulsions are what others can observe and it commonly includes excessive cleaning, checking and washing, avoidance of certain people, places or things, repetition and hoarding. (OCD UK, “What Causes OCD”)
a. (Sub- sub-subpoint) Imigent, a young student is plagued by thoughts that terrible things will happen to her family and she feels that the only way to protect them is by constantly tapping the objects around her. She can be found doing this wherever she goes. (bbcdocuchannel, “Extreme OCD Camp Episode 1 BBC documentary 2013 Journey to the American Wilderness”)
2. (Sub-subpoint 2) Covert compulsions are mental actions that aren’t shown externally. (OCD-UK, “What Causes OCD”)
a. (Sub-sub-subpoint) These compulsions usually include mental repetition of words or numbers, and the constant need to think of good thoughts to block out the unwanted ones. (OCD-UK, “What Causes OCD”)
C. (Subpoint 3) Obsessions and compulsions can put a strain on relationships. Whether it being at home, the workplace or with friends.
1. (Sub-subpoint 1) Particularly living with someone facing OCD takes a lot of compromise and understanding. Sometimes his or her obsessive behavior may seem nonsensical, exhausting and frustrating.
a. (Sub-sub-subpoint 1) Furthermore, the condition can bring about extra financial and emotional weight on the family, and can interfere with family time. (OCD UK, “What Causes OCD”)
b. (Sub-sub-subpoint 2) People with OCD are often late to social events, and meetings usually because of obsessive checking or the fear of being around others. (OCD UK, “What Causes OCD”)
(Transition: OCD is a troubling and sometimes stifling condition, but for many, it can be dealt with or even defeated)
III. (Main point 3) Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake, David Beckham and many others suffering from OCD learn to manage their condition through clinical treatments, self-help, and support from their loved ones. (HELPGUIDE.ORG, “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”)
A. (Subpoint 1) Clinical treatments include medication, as well as exposure and response therapy (HELPGUIDE.ORG, “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”)
1. (Sub-subpoint 1) The intake of antidepressants is common. However, it is not effective when it is taken alone. (Stanford Medicine, “Behavior Therapy”)
2. (Sub-subpoint 2) Exposure and response therapy have been noted to reap better results. According to Stanford, 50% of sufferers benefit from this method, even without medicine. (Stanford Medicine, “Behavior Therapy”)
a. (Sub-sub-subpoint 1) This treatment directly exposes patients to their fears and forces them to fight the urge of performing compulsions. (HELPGUIDE.ORG, “Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”)
b. (Sub-sub-subpoint 2) This treatment can be seen on the famous BBC show, “Extreme OCD Camp,” where a teenager with an intense fear of germs was forced to consume drinking water from a restaurant for the very first time. (Bbcdocuchannel, “Extreme OCD Camp Episode 1 BBC documentary 2013 Journey to the American Wilderness”)
B. (Subpoint 2) Someone facing OCD can take personal measures to deal with it.
1. (Sub-subpoint 1) Measures include exercising regularly, having enough sleep, keeping close to uplifting family and friends, breathing deeply, keeping attention on enjoyable hobbies, and most importantly, accepting ones condition, but challenging ones fears and obsessions. (HELPGUIDE.ORG, “Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”)
C. (Subpoint 3) Although it may not be easy, support from family and friends is crucial for the recovery of an OCD sufferer.
1. (Sub-subpoint 1) Those with OCD know that sometimes, their obsessions and compulsions aren’t logical and feel bad for causing inconveniences to those around them.
2. (Sub-subpoint 2) They try to suppress their obsessions to please those around them or fit into society, but failing to do so normally leads to depression and in some cases, suicide (ADAA, “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”)
3. (Sub-subpoint 3) OCD sufferers shouldn’t be made to feel this way. To help their love ones, families and friends should avoid criticizing the person, maintain a calm and positive environment, never play along with their compulsions, and very importantly, be there for them even through the toughest times. (HELPGUIDE.ORG, “Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”)
(Transition: After all that is said and done, you should now know the main causes and effects of OCD and the methods of overcoming it)
CONCLUSION
I. (Summary Statement) To recap, OCD is triggered by genetic, cognitive or situational factors.
II. It brings about obsessions, compulsions and social issues.
III. Factors that may improve the conditions are clinical treatments, self-help
and support from family and friends.
IV. (Memorable statement) I would like to say that having OCD does not define or dictate what a person can achieve and become in the future, and in conclusion, I’ll leave you with the question, “how would you like to be treated if you had OCD?”