Study Suggests Men Experience Earlier Onset of OCD
September 8th, 2009 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Headline
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health concern that can create havoc in the lives of those who experience its symptoms, and the individual manifestations of the issue may vary greatly from one person to the next. The consequences tend to be similar, however; difficulty carrying out daily life, problematic relationships, and concerns at work are common themes. A study performed in India has identified average ages for the onset of OCD, noting that men experience early symptoms before their twentieth year, while women tend to notice similar issues later into their twenties. The difference may impact the professional and social prospects of men who struggle with the issue.
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huh. . . I wonder why that is the case. In so many other arenas women are way more likely to notice that things are a little off sooner than a man would.
OCD is not only a difficult thing for the affected person but also for the people around the person, especially the person’s family. This goes beyond just seeking ‘perfection’ as it creates a lot of problems between the person and his near and dear ones.
OCD can be alienating and very troublesome for a person, and to know that its onset is earlier for men only makes the matter worse because as young people they will already have problems and differences with their folks at an age of early twenties. They need to be taken care of and dealt with a lot of love and affection and a strong belief in the Almighty.
My brother was diagnosed with OCD several years back and while all of us could see very clearly that something was going on with him that was not right (how many times did he need to touch that door handle again before he could walk through the door?!?)he was adverse to admitting that anything was wrong. It tore me to pieces to see how much useless energy he would have to put into these daily ministrations to make his day more bearable for him while it was driving the rest of us mad! I am not making light of the situation at all, but those who have never seen OCD live and in person have no idea how bizarrely it can present itself and how much it can wreck a life. He is in therapy now and on medications that do help him to lead more of a normal life but he still struggles daily as we all do.
There have been so many recent medical researches that have proved that men are the ‘weaker’ sex…biologically at least… one report even says that males would be extinct in another 5 million years(?). And now this report… whao… men really need to pull up their socks and work towards getting fitter and healthier ;)
When I hear someone has OCD, I look to the areas of their life in which they feel out of control. This (or these) tends to be a source of where they develop the need to control other areas of their life. By targeting the unmanageable area, the need to control lessens.