Obsessive Compulsory Disorder (OCD) is a neurological, mental disorder that causes a person to have recurring sensations of undesired thoughts, causing the urge to do a particular thing over and over again. Doing something repeatedly is the compulsion, while the recurring thoughts and sensations are the manifestations of obsession. OCD diagnosis and treatment are important in mental health nursing practice because of the roles nurses play to assist individuals suffering from it.
Statistical data from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (2020) reveals that OCD affects about 2.2 million grownups in the USA. The figure is equivalent to one percent of the total USA population. The condition remains particularly prevalent among both men and women with its age of onset being 19. 25% of all the cases arise at age 14 (ADAA, 2020). A considerable number of adults with the condition admit having experienced its symptoms during childhood. These statistics indicate that OCD still affects many people, and proper nursing care and diagnosis are still needed.
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In the article, Abramowitz et al. (2018) explain the steps that have been made in the Cognitive Behavioral treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The article first observes that many studies have focused on the beneficial effects of cognitive-behavioral interventions, especially response and exposure prevention. However, many people still experience residual symptoms, while others fail to get proper treatment due to limited access. In the 1960s, OCD was generally seen as an intractable disorder. However, enough has been done to improve treatment, and the condition is manageable today. However, the challenge remains to ensure that there is a perfect psychological treatment of the condition, something that has remained elusive. There is already an evidence-based set of interventions, but it is important to develop further ways of improving OCD treatment.
The focus has shifted from exposure therapy as a way of reducing anxiety into ways of creating tolerance or acceptance, characterized by inhibitory learning techniques. The future approach also focuses on the ACT based ERP promises to inject new information and perspective into the new paradigm of OCD treatment. For example, the article recommends that nurses and clinicians be trained on how to use communication technologies such as the internet, Telehealth, and Smartphone applications to deliver cognitive-behavioral treatment. Doing so will facilitate access to healthcare assistance and the dissemination of accurate medical information to assist OCD patients.
The findings of the article are relevant in using cognitive behavioral treatment of OCD patients. Many people with OCD looking for treatment do not usually seek help, but they fail to get adequate, appropriate treatment even when they do. The situation is as a result of the shortage of well-trained therapists in many healthcare systems. From a personal perspective, I would incorporate technology to assist in reaching out to patients whenever necessary. Knowledge of proper use of Telehealth is particularly important in facilitating therapy treatment to patients.
The strength of the article is evident in identifying and addressing the knowledge gap through literature analysis. It makes it clear that many steps have been made over time but proper psychological treatment mechanisms. One of the weaknesses is that it is too board and not specific. It would be more precise if it focused on a single intervention that holds the key to future improvement in the cognitive-behavioral treatment approach regarding OCD. I would recommend the article to my colleagues because it covers the advancements and research in the field of OCD treatment while focusing on the future needs and changes needed to improve OCD treatment. It highlights the shortfalls along the way and documents the necessary steps to improve the delivery of treatment for OCD patients.
References
Abramowitz, J. S., Blakey, S. M., Reuman, L., & Buchholz, J. L. (2018). New directions in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of OCD: Theory, research, and practice. Behavior Therapy , 49 (3), 311-322.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2020, January 20). Facts & Statistics . Retrieved August 17, 2020, from adaa.org: https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics#:~:text=OCD%20affects%202.2%20million%20adults,first%20experienced%20symptoms%20in%20childhood.
