OCD and Related Disorders Flashcards
What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is 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.
What are obsessions?
Obsessions: uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts or mental images that cause anxiety.
What are compulsions?
Compulsions: uncontrollable, reoccurring behaviors in response to an obsessive thought.
What are common obsession symptoms?
Fear of germs or contamination.
Unwanted forbidden or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, and harm.
Aggressive thoughts towards others or self.
Having things symmetrical or in a perfect order.
What are common compulsion symptoms?
Excessive cleaning and/or handwashing.
Ordering and arranging things in a precise way.
Repeatedly checking on things, such as repeatedly checking to see if the door is locked or that the oven is off.
Compulsive counting.
Describe a person with OCD.
Can’t control their thoughts or behaviors, even when they are recognized as excessive.
Spends at least 1 hour a day on these thoughts or behaviors.
Doesn’t get pleasure when performing the behaviors or rituals but may feel brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause.
Experiences significant problems in their daily life due to these thoughts or behaviors.
What are the functional consequences of OCD?
Reduced quality of life.
High levels of occupational and social impairment.
Some individuals’ symptoms of the disorder interfere with the treatment.
Some individuals with OCD try to impose rules and prohibitions on family – leading to family dysfunction.
What is the diagnostic criteria for body dysmorphic disorder?
Preoccupation with one or more perceived defects/flaws in physical appearance
During course, individual has performed repetitive behaviors (mirror checking, skin picking, excessive grooming) or mental acts (comparing appearance to that of others) in response to appearance concerns.
Preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other area.
Appearance preoccupation not better explained by other concerns with body weight or fat (eating disorder criteria ruled out).
What is body dysmorphia?
This disorder occurs almost exclusively in males.
Consists of preoccupation with the idea that one’s body is too small or insufficiently lean or muscular.
Majority tends to diet, exercise, and/or lift weights excessively, sometimes causing bodily damage.
