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obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnostic criteria
obsessive compulsive disorder and how behavioral theory explains it
outline and evluate the biological explanations for obsessive compulsive disorder
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Recommended: obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnostic criteria
Nature of the Disability
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, is an anxiety
disorder which, “traps people in endless cycles of repetitive thoughts and
behaviors” (WebMD, 2009). Anxiety disorders can not only affect a person’s
mental, but also their physical behavior (Hallahan, 267). Specifically, people with
OCD tend to be excessively nervous and have to perform rituals or compulsions
to help themselves deal with the anxiety. The two symptoms of OCD are
obsessions and compulsions, which can be different for every person (WebMD,
2009). Some examples of obsessions are, but are certainly not limited to, a fear
of germs, fear of thinking bad thoughts, and the one most likely to be brought up
when talking about OCD, a need for cleanliness or order (King, 2008).
To deal with these obsessions, persons with OCD may have to perform
rituals or compulsions that to an observer may seem irrational or crazy, but to the
person performing the ritual, are a necessity. A few examples of rituals would be
refusal to make physical contact with another person, constantly cleaning or
rearranging one’s room, or even checking to make sure a door is locked multiple
times (King, 2008). Most of the people afflicted with this disease know that their
own rituals are irrational and maybe even useless, but without treatment or help,
they must perform them on a daily basis to function at all.
Causes
There is some disagreement in the scientific field on the cause of OCD.
One side of researchers and scientists believe that the disease is caused by
environmental factors, or it comes as on offset of learned behavior (WebMD,
2009). Studies show that environmental stressors can lead to the onset of the
disease or a worsening of the disease by those people who already have it. In
other words, traumatic life experiences or unexpected changes in a person’s life
can “flip a switch” in someone’s brain and leave them susceptible to the mental
disease.
While these environmental stressors may leave a person more susceptible
to the disease, growing research has began to show that the disease is actually
caused by chemical imbalance in the neurons of the brain. Recent studies have
concluded that OCD can develop in a person whom has a low level of a certain
neurotransmitter, called serotonin, in their brain (King, 2...
... middle of paper ...
...(2009) Exceptional Children. Boston, Ma. Pearson
Publishing (pg. 266-267)
Hymen, B. (1999). Guidelines for Families with Children who have OCD.
Retrieved March 1, 2009, from OCD Resource Center of Florida
http://www.ocdhope.com/ocd-family-kids.php
King, S. (2008). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Children. Retrieved February
28, 2009, from Your Total Health
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/obsessive-compulsive-disorderchildren.
html
OCDSymptoms (2000). Common OCD Misconceptions. Retrieved March 1,
2009, from OCDSymptoms.co.uk
http://www.ocdsymptoms.co.uk/common-ocd-misconceptions.html
Packer, L. (2004). Tips for Accommodating Students with Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder. Retrieved March 1,2009, from Tourettesyndrome.net
http://www.tourettesyndrome.net/ocd_treatment.htm
U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment. (1994) Mental Disorders and
Genetics: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Society. Washington
DC. U.S. Government Printing Office. (pg. 20)
WebMD. (2009). Mental Health: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved
March 1, 2009, from WebMD.com http://www.webmd.com/anxietypanic/
guide/obsessive-compulsive-disorder
Regina is a 20 year-old single female who is struggling to obtain her business degree at a mid-sized university. In the last two and a half years she has only received 26 credit hours. Seeing that she is having problems, her adviser along with her parents, suggested that she attend therapy. Regina is frequently having anxiety about germs and performing certain rituals in order to lessen her anxiety. In order to be comfortable in her classes, she feels she must arrive early, find a specific desk on a certain row, and thoroughly clean the desk and seat before she can be seated. Also, before she can leave her off-campus apartment in the morning, she is finding herself spending more and more time cleaning her apartment, then showering and getting dressed, and then cleaning the bathroom thoroughly. Regina also has found herself fearful of eating in restaurants and going to eat at family and friends homes. Her fear of germs is intensifying and prohibiting her from having adequate relationships. This is leaving her to feel quite isolated and lonely.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is believed to be linked to other disorders and disabilities. The symptoms cause a lot of stress and anxiety and it could lead to depression. OCD can develop over time or be something one is born with. Many people suffer from this disorder but there are different ways to treat the symptoms such as cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. OCD is a very common yet serious disorder that does not seem significant to those who do not have it but it is not something that should ever be ignored.
The cause of OCD is still unknown. But some researchers believe that it runs in the family but do not know if any environmental or stress factors affect the risk of getting OCD. Some believe some environmental factors like stress, abuse, illness or death of a loved one can start the possible effects of OCD. Others believe low levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin is the cause of OCD, and that it can be passed from parent to offspring. Researchers are studying the fear and anxiety levels in the brain to create a better treatment for the symptoms of OCD.
Randal initially sought a psychological assessment for the presenting problem of depression. He began by stating that he had been having a difficult time with simple tasks and was easily overwhelmed. After further questioning, Randal began to elaborate on some of the thoughts that occupied his time and led to difficulty concentrating. He was constantly absorbed in anxiety about himself, or his family, coming into contact with a microbial disease. This thought pattern led to him compulsively washing his hands, obsessively cleaning surfaces and doorknobs, and throwing out perfectly fine clothing due to fear of contamination. He went on to further state that he often avoided places due to anxiety about their cleanliness. Also, Randal explained that often just when thinking about dirt and germs, he would take a shower, as a result of feeling contaminated. When prompted, Randal intimated that this behavior has occurred for several years, but recently has begun to interrupt his day-to-day functioning.
People from all walks of life can get a diagnosis of OCD. It can be found in multiple groups of people in all social and ethnic groups and found in both male and female. Most symptoms are formed in early childhood, the teenage or young adult years. If the appearance of OCD suddenly appears later in life could merit a thorough medical evaluation to ensure that another illness is not the underlining causes of these symptoms. This paper will discuss what OCD is, who actually gets it is, what the actual causes of OCD are, and what the effective treatments for OCD are available out there (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, ...
The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? I’m sure that most everyone has seen different news shows or talk shows where you see the person washing their hands until they bleed, or go back and forth into the house to double, triple, quadruple check something. A person may walk around their house making sure everything is “in its place” and not stop until a level of perfect is reached but often perfection in their eyes is never achieved. Magazines and books need to be parallel to the table they are on and of course the table must be parallel with the rest of the furniture in the room. These are just a few examples of behaviors that are demonstrated when a person has OCD.
One of the most widely spread disorders across the country these days is obsessive compulsive disorder, or otherwise known as OCD. All types and ages of people can develop OCD, and it can play a large role in how you go about your daily life, and the daily stresses that you run into. Obsessive compulsive disorder falls in with the category of anxiety disorders, and is characterized by persistent routines and obsessions which often results in compulsive rituals done on a daily basis. Some common factors of having OCD is the need to arrange things, compulsive acts of hand washing, and even counting. (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2014, p. 1) There are many symptoms that can fall into the category of being classified as OCD. Some people have both obsessions and compulsions, but also some may only experience one factor. (L.Robinson, 2014, p.2) Some symptoms that can be classified as signs of obsessive thoughts include: fear of germs, violent thoughts or images, fear of harm, superstitions, and symmetry. Although these are only just a few, there are plenty of symptoms most involving the action of being afraid of something. Some signs of compulsive behavior can result in excessive double checking of things, counting, repetition of words, organization of things, and even hoarding. I find it ironic that two people of a completely different mindset of what a home should look like, could both have the same disease. For instance, one person can be a hoarder living in a cluttered house, and one person could be living in the most pristinely cleaned home. Although OCD may seem harmless and in some cases even an advantage to one’s lifestyle of not becoming helpless and lazy, there are many risk factors that come with it as well. Obsessive ...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD for short, has affected numerous people; one being Jeff Bell, the author of the book Rewind, Replay, Repeat: A memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. This book has much insight on OCD and touches many interesting facts that some people would never know prior to reading.
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) OCD is a very common disorder affecting almost everyone in the world, with some being affected much more than others. First of all, I will give a brief definition of OCD. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder causes the brain to get stuck in one particular urge or thought that can’t easily be let go. People with OCD often call it a case of, “mental hiccups that won’t go away.”
The cognitive behavioral model is well regarded as an explanation for the onset, maintenance, and the basis of treatment of many disorders such as OCD. OCD is defined as an anxiety disorder in which obsessions and compulsions are excessive, or distressing. The behavioral model states that all behaviors are learned, this can explain the onset of disorders such as OCD through classical conditioning. Symptoms of OCD are primarily obsessions and compulsions, which are thoughts and behaviors, which are the primary feature of the cognitive model. The disorder is maintained through operant conditioning. Those with OCD engage in compulsion which are negatively reinforced, thus rewarding and allowing the behavior to continue. Treatment is very effective however, using the same principle that maintains behaviors treatments have been created that allow patients to make new connections to those stimuli.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a disease that a lot of people suffer with in society especially young adults. While it is not a disease that is deadly, it does affect the victim in every day aspects of their life and can ultimately control their lives. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as, “… a common, chronic and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over”. The thoughts that individuals have when suffering through Obsessive Compulsive Disorder cannot be restrained and really can disturb the individual. Thoughts or actions that people may have can range from worrying about daily occurrences, such as washing their hands, to having thoughts of harming people that are close to them. People tend to have these reoccurring compulsions because they believe by doing them or thinking them, they will either prevent something bad from happening or because it eliminates stress that they have. This disease can last a lifetime and can be very detrimental and disabling to how one lives their lives. Individuals can start to see signs of OCD in either late adolescence or even early adulthood and everyone is susceptible. When it comes to classifying this incurable disease, there is much debate on whether or not it a type of anxiety (Abramowitz, Taylor, & McKay, 2009). It is important to be able to understand this mental disorder since so many people are diagnosed with it. While there are treatments for OCD, there are no cures yet. Treatments could range anywhere from taking prescribed medication to just going to therapy and counseling fo...
How the counselor can approach a client who is diagnosed with OCD is by first, completing an intake evaluation. Why administering an intake at the start of therapy is so important is due to this being a time where Eilis and the counselor can make an initial interaction and learn or become aware of the client’s current mental status, history, and spirituality/religion. Cashwell and Young (2011) labeled this assessment process as “taking in” due to “taking in” all the client’s information, such as, Eilis’s background on rituals that could have led to her OCD, substance abuse, and family history of OCD (Cashwell & Young, 2011). Nevertheless, the client and counselor can establish that strong professional rapport that will help the counselor dig
What causes OCD? It was thought in the past that OCD was caused by some kind of biological or psychological vulnerability. (Durand and Barlow 2000.) Psychologists are now starting to lean towards the growing evidence that OCD represents abnormal functioning of brain circuitry, probably involving a part of the brain called the striatum. (NIMH 2000.) OCD is not caused by family problems or attitudes learned in childhood or by a belief that certain thoughts are dangerous and unacceptable. Doctors have been experimenting with clients that have OCD and clients that don't have it. They have been using positron emission tomography (PET) to compare people with and without OCD. Clients...
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD) is becoming more effective when the patient with the disorder is exposed and are involved in response prevention treatment techniques in an independent setting which is also known as behavior therapy. The OCD research group in the University of Los Angeles Medical Center have been researching about this disorder through various tests and treatments. This research group has applied cognitive techniques in order to let the patient be aware of the biological aspects of OCD so that the patient can better control themselves of the fear and anxiety that may come from the disorder and the treatment that they have to undergo.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a common psychological condition that is often misunderstood. Many times this disorder is thought of as a personality trait instead of what is it, which is an acknowledged psychological disorder that affects approximetely 2.2 million Americans, and an estimated 1 in 100 people worldwide.