obsessive compulsive disorder
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TRANSCRIPT
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