See other bills
under the
same topic
PRINTER'S NO. 2493
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
499
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY KINSEY, HOHENSTEIN, BURNS, LONGIETTI, HILL-EVANS,
McCLINTON, SCHLOSSBERG, JAMES, SONNEY, KORTZ, DiGIROLAMO,
RAVENSTAHL, FREEMAN, MILLARD, BROWN, MACKENZIE, HARKINS, KIM
AND MURT, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the week of October 13 through 19, 2019, as
"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Awareness Week" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Equally affecting individuals from all races,
ethnicities and backgrounds, obsessive compulsive disorder is a
mental illness involving a continuing cycle of obsessions and
compulsions; and
WHEREAS, Obsessions are unwanted, recurring and intrusive
thoughts that typically elicit distressing feelings; and
WHEREAS, Compulsions are excessive and repetitive behaviors
undertaken to mitigate distress that results from obsessions;
and
WHEREAS, Researchers believe that genetic predisposition and
an inability for certain brain cells to communicate with one
another contribute to obsessive compulsive disorder, though a
precise cause of the disorder is unknown; and
WHEREAS, Licensed mental health professionals diagnose
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
obsessive compulsive disorder when an individual experiences
both obsessions and compulsions that interfere with other
important life activities; and
WHEREAS, Obsessive compulsive disorder can begin at any age,
but typically first appears between 10 and 12 years of age, in
the late teenage years or early adulthood; and
WHEREAS, More than 3 million adults in the United States,
approximately 1.2% of the adult population, are currently
diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 500,000 children in the United States
have obsessive compulsive disorder; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 2.3% of American citizens will
struggle with obsessive compulsive disorder at some point in
their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder
grapple with the disorder in varying degrees of severity with
50.6% experiencing severe impairment, 34.8% experiencing
moderate impairment and 14.6% experiencing mild impairment; and
WHEREAS, An average of 14 to 17 years elapse between the time
someone begins experiencing symptoms of obsessive compulsive
disorder until the time they receive appropriate treatment; and
WHEREAS, The majority of individuals suffering from obsessive
compulsive disorder benefit from a combination of therapy and
medicine; and
WHEREAS, First recognized in 2009, "Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder Awareness Week" occurs in the second week of October
each year and is an international effort to increase awareness
and understanding about obsessive compulsive disorder; and
WHEREAS, Through raising awareness, "Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder Awareness Week" seeks to help individuals receive
20190HR0499PN2493 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
appropriate and effective treatment for the disorder; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
week of October 13 through 19, 2019, as "Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives raise awareness
and understanding about obsessive compulsive disorder while
acknowledging the importance of timely access to effective
treatment.
20190HR0499PN2493 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9