OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Flashcards
What is OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)?
OCD is an anxiety disorder where a person experiences obsessions and compulsions that interfere with daily life and functioning. It is a “disease of doubt.”
What is an obsession?
An intrusive, irrational and repeated thought or image about a thing or things. Obsessions largely reflect fears and anxieties.
Provide an example of an obsession.
Fear of germs
Fear of hurting others
Troubling religious or sexual thoughts
What is a compulsion?
It is a behavior (routine or ritual) used to momentarily alleviate the anxiety from an obsessive thought. People with OCD believe that bad things will happen if they don’t engage in compulsions,
What is an example of a compulsion?
Repeated hand washing
Repeated counting or having “good’ / “bad” numbers
Repeating same steps over and over
Repeated checking
When does OCD usually occur?
Usually in childhood, teens and early adulthood. Most people are diagnosed by age 19.
OCD can also occur with a brain injury.
What causes OCD?
It is a chemical imbalance in the brain.
OCD can also occur with a brain injury.
How long does it take to diagnose OCD?
Most people are diagnosed by age 19.
At the same time, OCD is underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. It can also be misinterpreted as a personality “quirk” or a person’s willful decisions rather than a mental illness.
It can co-occur with other illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, but the OCD itself may not be directly recognized and, consequently, treated.
Diagnosis may be delayed since people with OCD can be good at hiding their illness and feel shame and fear.
What kinds of medication are used to treat OCD?
Antidepressants (SSRIs and TCAs like Anafranil)
Beta blockers
Anti-anxiety medications
How long does it take to fairly judge if a medication works or not?
10 - 12 weeks
What kind of therapy can help someone with OCD?
Behavior therapy (ERP) Exposure and response prevention
