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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder affecting
2-3 % of the population. The overwhelming thoughts and urges of OCD take up
considerable time and energy and interfere with daily life and relationships.
People with OCD typically experience a combination of obsessive thoughts, ideas,
images or impulses that they can’t control, along with the drive to do certain
repetitive behaviors or actions in response to the dread or fear associated with
the obsessions. Most students experience minor worry now and then, such as doubt
as to whether or not a door was locked, having a superstitious thought (e.g.
“Don’t step on the cracks in the sidewalk”) or needing to straighten things when
anxious about an exam. These kinds of occasional thoughts are ordinary and
common. However, for individuals struggling with OCD, such thoughts and urges
are exaggerated and pressing. Obsessive thoughts are experienced as intense and
consuming, and the urges to do behaviors that temporarily quiet the anxiety feel
compelling and unavoidable. Life begins to center around the obsessions and
compulsions of OCD. As a result, relationships with others, academic studies and
other normal life activities are negatively affected by OCD.
Obsessions
The obsessive thoughts, ideas and images of OCD are typically distressing or
disturbing, and feel out of the person’s control. The individual usually can
recognize that their obsessive thinking is unrealistic, but feels unable to stop
the thoughts.
Common types of obsessions include:
- Contamination Fears – e.g. fear of picking up germs from touching
someone/something
- Doubts: e.g. Did I turn off the stove? Did I lock the door?
- Imagining causing harm to someone or to oneself: e.g. fears of having
run someone over, fears that one could jump off of a high place
- Imagining behaving in socially inappropriate ways: e.g. impulse to shout
out in church, images of sexual behavior with another person
- Need for order or symmetry: e.g. preoccupation with things being
organized in a particular way
Compulsions
In an effort to get relief from the negative feelings associated with
obsessive thoughts or images, people with OCD feel driven to repeat particular
behaviors or actions. Common examples of compulsive behaviors include washing
(e.g. washing hands repeatedly), cleaning, counting or repeating (e.g. saying a
word a certain number of times), and ritualistic checking (e.g. to see if an
appliance is turned off). Another common compulsive behavior is the need to do
things “perfectly.” For the person with OCD, this might mean making things
symmetrical, doing things very slowly, or having to do things in a particular
order. People with OCD may also “hoard” belongings of little or no worth, such
as old newspapers or mail or other objects and feel anxious at the thought of
losing or discarding them.
Causes and Treatment of OCD
Research suggests that the causes of OCD may be largely genetic, but that
stressful life circumstances can trigger the onset or recurrence of OCD. For
about half to one third of OCD sufferers, the disorder starts in childhood.
There is evidence to suggest that difficulties with information processing in
the brain of the person with OCD leads to “getting stuck” on specific worried
thoughts. Interestingly, individuals with OCD are also frequently diagnosed with
depression. High dosages of certain anti-depressant medications (e.g. Luvox,
Anafranil, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft ) have proved very effective in treating OCD.
The efficacy of specific anti-depressants suggests that imbalances in the brain
neurotransmitter serotonin may be common to both depression and OCD.
In addition to medication, cognitive behavior therapy is a helpful treatment
for OCD. This type of therapy helps the client challenge their assumptions that
something bad will happen if they don’t perform the compulsive behavior of OCD.
The client is asked to imagine or directly face the feared situation or idea
(e.g. touching an object believed to be “contaminated”) and then encouraged not
to engage in the compulsive behavior associated with the anxiety that arises
(e.g. prevented from washing his or hands). OCD ranges in degree of severity,
and sometimes referral to a specialist who can provide treatment directly in the
feared or problematic situation is recommended.
How to Get Help
Experienced psychologists are available at the University Counseling Center
for confidential help for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. To make an appointment,
stop by 206 Health Services Building or call 610-519-4050
For more information on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, follow these links:
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