American Research Journal of Psychiatry

Amal Ali Mesfer Alblowy 

Background: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that occurs across the whole life span and is classified under anxiety disorders. It is a combination of illogical thoughts and compulsory behaviors caused by anxiety. Aim: To assess obsessive-compulsive disorder among female nursing students in Alriyada college in Jeddah and its relationship to some variables. Materials and Methods: A quantitative study “descriptive design”. The total number of study participants was (N =279). Data was collected through one tool by “Arabic Scale of Obsession-Compulsion” (ASOC). Results: The weighted mean for all dimensions of obsessive-compulsive disorder were 1.5458 ± .36035. The highest mean score of OCD symptoms 1.9023 ± .48364 was related to the “orderliness and discipline” dimension, followed by 1.7513 ± .53314 were related to the “obsessive thoughts” dimension. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study showed a low prevalence of OCD among study participants. The study recommended early detection, and prevention programs to reduce the negative impact of OCD disorder on the behavior, the mental health of the individual, and society. Also, public awareness, screening, and the presence of an educational psychologist in college may help for early detection and symptom management.

Christopher J. Sernaqué, NCPT 

The regulation and maintenance of the sleep-wake cycle are vital to maintaining optimal health. When this sleep-wake cycle becomes disrupted, there are several courses of action an individual can take to reset their sleep schedule, including taking sleep-medication prescribed by their provider. From an integrative health care perspective, the 5- hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) extract from the Griffonia simplicifolia may prove to be beneficial in this case study evaluating its effectiveness in helping an individual maintain a healthier sleep schedule, thus opening more discussion for larger case studies verifying  the effectiveness of 5-HTP in treating insomnia.