Classification And Diagnosis Flashcards
Briefly, why is it difficult to give a valid diagnosis?
OCD might be normal behaviour
There are different types
It is often co morbid with other disorders
What percentage of adults have unwanted thoughts and display mild checking behaviour?
75%
To provide a valid diagnosis of OCD what is required?
Evidence of persistence and dysfunction, otherwise there is a danger of over medicalising normal behaviour
What problems could arise if normal behaviour becomes a diagnosable disorder?
Those who genuinely have OCD are going to have less access to treatment because the nhs will be over burdened
Medication often comes with negative side effects which could create a worse problem in than the very mild OCD behaviours in ‘more normal’ people
Lots of people being diagnosed could result in an increased stigma. Such illnesses need to be declared, this could affect people when applying for a job. Even though it should not as this is why we have the equality act 2010 in place
Why is it difficult to give a valid diagnosis of OCD if there are different types of OCD?
Some psychologists believe it is difficult to give a valid diagnosis of OCD because it is not a single disorder but a spectrum of different disorders
What study is related to different types of OCD?
Jakes
What is Jakes study related to?
Different types of OCD
What did Jakes suggest?
There are sub-groups of patients who differ in their compulsions. Some have more checking rituals, others have more cleaning rituals. It is not useful to ignore these types as different origins may require different treatment
Explain why is it difficult to give a valid diagnosis of OCD as out is often co-morbid with other disorders?
It can be difficult to separate the two disorders, for example with depression, did the depression cause the OCD of the OCD cause the depression? This then makes it more difficult to prove to right diagnosis to treat the root cause
What is a valid diagnosis?
It is a diagnosis representative of what the patient is suffering from which means they can receive effective treatment
What percentage of people have depression and OCD?
67%
What study is linked to OCD being co-morbid with other disorders?
Steketee
What is Steketee’s study related to?
OCD being co-morbid with other disorders
What were Steketee’s findings?
That many OCD sufferers also suffered from personality disorders.
What can we infer from Steketee’s findings?
That not all OCD sufferers are the same and doctors need to asses cases individually and provide specific courses of treatment
