Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE

DISORDERBy Maggie Gonzalez

Disclaimer

This is a project for a high school Ap Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian:[email protected].

What is it? An anxiety disorder characterized by

unwanted repetitive thoughts and actions Thoughts-obsessions Actions- compulsions

Offensive thoughts that will not go away Comes to the point where functioning is

difficult

Levels of OCD

Mild functional impairment –thoughts occupy less than 1 hour of your day

Moderate functional impairment –thoughts occupy 1 to 3 hours of your day

Severe functional impairment –thoughts occupy more than 3 hours of your day

Causes

No one really knows the cause Scientist say that it is a combination of

environmental and genetic factors

Diagnosis

The Zohar-Fineberg Obsessive Compulsive Screen- a questionnaire that helps doctors identify OCD

Examples of types of questions include: Do you wash or clean a lot? Do you check things a lot? Is there any thought that keeps bothering you

that you would like to get rid of but can't? Do your daily activities take time to finish?

Associated Thoughts or Behaviors

Concern with dirt, germs, toxins Paranoid Symmetry, order, preciseness Repeating rituals Checking doors multiple times Excessive behaviors:

Hand washing, bathing

OCD Cycle

Obsession - the patient's thoughts are dominated by a constant obsessive concern or fear

Anxiety - the obsessive thoughts trigger a sensation of extreme anxiety and anguish.

Compulsion - a pattern of compulsive behaviors are adopted to relieve the distress and anxiety

Temporary relief - the compulsive behaviors help relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety.

Most Common Obsessions

Deliberately harming others Accidentally harming yourself or

others Contamination Order and symmetry Religious or morality fear Sexual images or thoughts

Most Common Compulsions

Arranging ornaments, cans, clothes, etc. in a certain way, either symmetrically or so they all point in the same direction

Checking that all appliances in the kitchen are turned off

Counting numbers in certain patterns Hand washing Hoarding

How I See it

When People to Generalize my Disease

I often get angry and cannot gather words to explain to them what it is

I feel as soon as I explain it they are going to think I`m just a neat freak

A Few Celebrities with OCD

Justin Timberlake

He says he contends with obsessive thoughts, needs to make sure objects are lined up perfectly, and allows only certain foods in his refrigerator.

Megan Fox

It manifests as an intense awareness of germs. Fox refuses to use public restrooms or restaurant silverware, and displays some symptoms of agoraphobia.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz’s condition manifests itself as an overwhelming fear of germs, especially on doorknobs. In her home, the polish is worn off of every knob because she insists on opening them with her elbows. She also cleans her house daily and washes her hands multiple times every day.

Some of my Many Episodes

My record of washing my hands in one hour is 15

I check all the doors in my house three times before I go to sleep

I bite my nails rapidly and unconsciously

Episodes continued…

I organize my desk before I study each day

I bathe twice a day and still do not feel clean

I always have the urge to clean

Therapy Options

Exposure and response prevention involves repeated exposure to the source of

your obsession For example, if you are a compulsive hand

washer, you might be asked to touch the door handle in a public restroom and then be prevented from washing..

Cognitive therapy teach you healthy and effective ways of

responding to obsessive thoughts, without resorting to compulsive behavior.

Set Your Mind To It