1 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder John J. Peters

2 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Despite the social stigma against mental disease and care, mental disorders affect over one-fifth of the population of the United States and need to be regarded as a serious issue (LaVeist, 2005). Because they are so prevalent, it is important that these disorders are better understood. Two disorders that are often mentioned in conversation are obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Many misconceptions about these diseases have been made, but recent scientific studies have attempted to clarify the details of these disorders. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by obstinate urges to perform an action (mental or physical) with the notion that undertaking this act will reduce anxiety. These compulsions interfere with daily activity and can range from repeated hand-washing to superfluous counting. The need to perform the action is exacerbated by stress. Often those afflicted by obsessive-compulsive disorder are aware that their actions are illogical and are ashamed that they cannot control their behavior. (LaVeist, 2005). An estimated 5.3-12.4 million Americans are affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder annually, and there is no disparity between its occurrence in adult men and woman; however, male children are three times more like than female children to develop the disorder (Match & Schub, 2011). Though there is not significant evidence that one race or ethnicity has a higher propensity to developing obsessivecompulsive disorder, a recent study has indicated that Southeast and South Asians/East Indians reported higher instances of the disorder (Washington, Norton & Temple, 2008). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood disorder that affects mental development. It is marked by repeated inattention, impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, poor organization, and fidgeting. Common tasks can become difficult because those afflicted with ADHD find it difficult to maintain focus long enough to complete them. Approximately

3 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 9.3-21.7 million children are affected by ADHD; however, only 30-80% of these children will show signs of ADHD in adulthood (LaVeist, 2005). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, male children are 2.3 times more likely to have ADHD than female children (Bloom, Cohen & Freeman, 2010). In regards to race, one study shows that reports of ADHD in Blacks and Hispanics are less frequent than those in Whites. The study did not conclude whether this was due to under/over-diagnosis of ADHD in certain races or some other factor. Furthermore, Whites were shown to be more like to receive treatment for ADHD than Blacks or Hispanics. The study accounted this to a different attitude toward health care held by Black and Hispanic parents and also to access to quality health care (Pastor & Reuben, 2005). Obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder alone affect millions of Americans. These and countless other mental disorders are becoming some of the most important areas of research in the medical field. As more data is gathered about these diseases, our understanding of them will hopefully increase. Each year, more studies produce information that helps experts analyze the impact of mental diseases and specifically how each race or ethnicity is impacted.

4 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Works Cited Bloom B., Cohen R. A. & Freeman G. (2010) Summary health statistics for U.S. children: National Health Interview Survey, 2009. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ series/sr10/sr10247.pdf. LaVeist, T. A. (2005). Minority populations and health an introduction to heath disparities in the United States. San Francisco, CA. Josey-Bass A Wiley Imprint. March, P. & Schub, T. (2011, Feb 4). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid= 3278603a-fc41-4104-beef-dde07733175b%40sessionmgr113&vid=1&hid=119. Pastor P. & Reuben C. (2005, Jul). Racial and ethnic differences in ADHD and LD in young school-age children: parental reports in the National Health Interview Survey. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1497740/. Washington C. S., Norton P. J. & Temple S. (2008, Jun). Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a multiracial/ethnic analysis of a student population. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu:2048/ehost/detail?sid= c46b2948-e719-4a37-87a1-2f98c69f39b9%40sessionmgr115&vid=1&hid=119&bdata= JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d.