Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

Definition

a mental disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety, or by combinations of such thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).

Symptoms

Obsession:

• worrying
• feeling unsafe
• doubting
• distasteful religious and sexual thoughts or images

Compulsion:

• Cleaning
• Checking
• Touching and arranging
• mental rituals
• repeating
• hoarding

Causes of OCD

1) Psychodynamic

• Disturbance in the sexual life or development of the child
• With unconscious wishes

2) Biological

• Abnormalities within the brain, particularly in the orbital cortex

3) Environment

• Influence by dysfunctional parent
• Past traumas in one’s life (post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Abuse situations

Treatment of OCD

1) Psychodynamic Therapy

• uncovering hidden motivations and gaining insight

2) Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

• Exposure & Response Prevention
• Gradually learning to tolerate the anxiety associated with not performing the ritual behavior.

3) Medication

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors( SSRIs)
• Benzodiazepines
• Serotonergic antidepressants
• Atypical antipsychotics

4) Alternative Drug Treatment

5) Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

6) Deep brain stimulation

References

Andrew R.G,(2004). Abnormal Psychology Casebook- A New Perspective. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall
Anna Dejdar. (2006). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Is there a biological cause? Retrieved September 14, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro06/web1/adejdar Anxiety Care. (2009). Cause of OCD. Retrieved September 15, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www.anxietycare.org.uk/docs/ocdcauses.asp Anxiety Disorder Association of America. (2009). Getting .Help> Glossary. Retrieved September 12, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/glossary.asp Anxiety Disorder Association of America. (2009). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved September 12, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/AnxietyDisorders/OCD.asp Brain Physics Mental Health Resource. (2009). Psychotherapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved September 18, 2009 from World Wide Web: http://www.brainphysics.com/therapy.php Brain Physics Mental Health Resource. (2009). Surgical Procedures for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved September 14, 2009 from World Wide Web: http://www.brainphysics.com/surgery.php Judith Graham. (2009). Deep brain stimulation approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Retrieved September 15, 2009 from World Wide Web: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/triage/2009/02/deep-brain-stimulation-approved-for-obsessivecompulsive-disorder Northern County Psychiatric Associates,Psychiatric Services For Children, Adolescents, Adults and Families. (2009). Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved September 17, 2009 from World Wide Web: http://www.ncpamd.com/obsessive.htm Owen. K. (2009). Symptoms of OCD.What are the Symptoms of OCD. Retrieved September 18, 2009 from World Wide Web: http://ocd.about.com/od/symptomsanddiagnosis/a/symptoms_ocd.htm Owen. K. (2009). Treatment Of OCD: Safe and Effective Treatments are Available. Retrieved September 16, 2009 from World Wide Web: http://ocd.about.com/od/treatment/a/treatment_OCD.htmOwen. K.(2009). Where Does OCD Come From?Biological, Cognitive-Behavioral and Psychodynamic Theories may Hold the Answer. Retrieved September 16, 2009 from World Wide Web: http://ocd.about.com/od/causes/a/Causes_OCD.