Frannie's Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Analysis

Obsessive compulsive disorder commonly (OCD) can be defined as an anxiety disorder differentiated by acts of compulsiveness or continual thoughts of obsession. Persistent thoughts, images, and desires are characteristics of obsessions. These thoughts, images, and desires are not typically willed into one’s mind as they are often senseless, illogical, aggressive, taboo, etc. Compulsive acts are unrealistic and repetitive behaviors. The fear of contamination with germs, dirt, or grease is the most common obsession, which leads to thoroughgoing or compulsive cleansing rituals. Religion, sex,

About 60% of obsessive-compulsive disorder patients have multiple obsessions. Not only does Melvin display behaviors associated with his fear of contamination, but also he presents compulsions under the symmetry/exactness/”just right” symptom subtype. This subtype deals specifically with the need for symmetry, in which things are put in a certain order and rituals are repeated. Melvin has very specific expectations of order in his daily routine. Every

The following is an overview about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), one of the most difficult psychiatric illness to be understood. The way of doing certain behaviors, thoughts or routines repeatedly is the essential condition of a person with OCD. In general, it is known and described by someone who is extremely perfectionist and meticulous. Unfortunately, they do realize those habits and be able to stop doing it. Common behaviors are such as checking locks, doors, stove bottoms, and lights, hand washing, counting things, or having recurrent intrusive thoughts of hurting oneself or somebody else.

Sonya is likely experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is the disorder that exhibits recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions (Nevid pg. 189). Obsessions are recurrent and intrusive thoughts (189). In this case study,Sonya admitted that she was a lifelong worrier. She also states that she repeatedly in a state of anxiousness or worriness (frets) about her family’s health, her future, and finances ( 189). Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that the person feels compelled to perform ( 189). Sonya has exhibit some compulsions in her perfectionistic tendencies. In Sonya childhood, she reviewed her homework assignments multiple times for “careless mistakes”. She even stated that she spent three times as long on homework than other children. In high school, she was very preoccupied in her appearance. She would iron her clothes the night before class. The next morning, she would check for wrinkles. If she find a wrinkle, she would iron her clothes again. Perfectionist’s beliefs involves exaggerating the consequences of submitting less than perfect work. They might feel compelled to redo their works until every detail is flawless (190). For example, Sonya states that

Current diagnostic criteria for SaraBeth’s disorders is better explained by criterion A – D in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and criterion A – E in Anxiety Disorder due to another medical condition. OCD criteria A requires that the individual have the presence of obsession and/or compulsions. SaraBeth reports obsessions of recurrent and persistent thoughts about harm coming to her parents and although she had attempted to ignore these thoughts she continues with performing her compulsions. SaraBeth’s compulsions are evident by reported repetitive behaviors of performing ritual prayers, persistent checking on the iron and stove and although SaraBeth can admit that her fear is unrealistic, she continues the compulsions in order to feel better or to relieve oneself. Criteria B requires that the obsessions and/or compulsions be time-consuming (more than one hour) or cause clinically significant distress or impairments in important areas of function. SaraBeth has stated that can spend three to four hours during the day engaged in checking behaviors. Criteria C entails that the obsessions-compulsive symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition. SaraBeth currently has no indication of a medical condition or substance use prior to the first onset of her obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Criteria D requires that the disturbance not better explained by the symptoms of another medical condition. Currently there is no evidence

She seems to have good insight into her behaviors and recognizes that they are irrational, as she describes them as “stupid and not making sense”, but reports that she feels the need to continue to participate in the behaviors. She reports feeling fearful that something bad would happen to her family if she did not participate in the behaviors or ritual, particularly that her grandmother may become sick. She reports being preoccupied with germs, which leads her to spend hours, over six hours of her day in ritualistic behaviors including shaking out her clothing for a half an hour and washing her hands with rubbing alcohol. As a result, her hands have become bloody and painful, as well as her personal hygiene has become neglected, as she is not brushing her hair or eating breakfast. She has missed out on fun things as a result of being unable to leave the house in a timely manner as a result of her obsessions and compulsive behaviors. She also reports a preoccupation with numbers and words and in her mind needs to add these numbers together. She seems to have good insight, as previously stated, as she is said to be “sensible”, recognizes that her behaviors are not normal, and is able to make the connection of her childhood surroundings with her current obsessions and

Throughout the time watching the movie “Mommie Dearest”, it was obvious from the beginning to the end that Joan Crawford had a couple of different mental issues. Originating with her very controlling personality, ways of manipulation, going into a mania without any provoking, and to the point of obsessive cleaning. With the information we gathered from her different behaviors portrayed in the movie, as well as guidelines in the DSM-V and information from our mental health textbook, we concluded that Joan Crawford meets the criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder propensities regarding the cleanliness and how perfection was of utmost importance to her. The criteria Joan meets in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is defined by both obsession and compulsion as being “recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and unwanted, and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress” and “repetitive behaviors (e.g. hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g. praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly” (Townsend & Morgan, 2017).

Most people are not fully educated on the severeness of mental illnesses, which cause misconceptions and stereotypes to form. Theses stereotypes can easily offend others with their wrongful accusations. Cleanliness is often the first thing that comes to one's mind when thinking of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, better known as OCD; however, this disorder is not about someone being neat; it is about how someone becomes obsessed with fears or thoughts which cause them to repeat specific behaviors. Many people are familiar with the condition of OCD, yet OCD is one of the most misunderstood illnesses in today's world.

Obsessive compulsion disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder described by irrational thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive tasks (compulsions) (Obsessive Compulsion Disorder, 2013). When a person has obsessive-compulsive disorder, they may realize that their obsessions aren't accurate, and they may try to overlook them but that only increases their suffering and worry. Eventually, you feel driven to perform compulsive acts to ease your stressful feelings. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is often driven by a reason, cause, or fear for example, a fear of germs. To calm the feeling of this fear, a person may compulsively wash their hands until they're sore and chapped. Despite their efforts, thoughts of obsessive-compulsive behavior keep coming back. This leads to more ritualistic behavior and a brutal cycle of obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is the fourth most common mental disorder, and is diagnosed nearly as often as asthma and diabetes (Who We Are, 2012). In the United States, one in 50 adults suffers from OCD. Obsessive compulsive disorder affects children, adolescents, and adults. About one third to one half of adults with OCD report a childhood onset of the disorder, they felt these anxieties but were not diagnosed or felt no need to be diagnosed until the compulsions over whelmed them (Who We Are, 2012). The phrase obsessive compulsive has been used to describe excessively meticulous, perfectionistic, absorbed, or otherwise fixated person. While

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder that causes someone to have unwanted and troubling thoughts and repetitive behaviors (Lack, 2012). People may self-diagnose themselves to be obsessive compulsive. But people with obsessive compulsive disorder need to spend at least 1 hour daily on obsessive thoughts and rituals (Ellyson, 2014). This disorder is broken into two parts. The first part is obsessions, thoughts or images, and the second part is compulsions, the repetitive behaviors caused by the obsessions (Brakoulias, 2015). An example of obsessive compulsive disorder would be someone checking the locked door multiple times to reduce anxiety about forgetting to lock the door. On average 5% of the population has subclinical symptoms which are considered to be symptoms that are not disruptive enough to meet criteria to be diagnosed obsessive compulsive (Lack, 2012). Dropping what you’re doing to go back and check if your curling iron is unplugged is an example of a subclinical symptom. This paper will discuss what obsessive compulsive disorder is and provide a brief history. It will also include current treatments, suggestions on how to treat the disorder, and a summary.

It started with a chill, each vertebrae vibrating one by one up my spine. Then the heat, my face flush and palms clammy. I could never keep up with my breathing, for it seemed as though each time I breathed out, I needed more air almost immediately. Soon, my mind was flooded with unsettling images, a new one appearing nearly every second, each worse than the last. Everything that I found comfort in was now an enemy. When will this end? My body could not keep up with the trembles and I could not resist the urge to scream. Was this room always so small? My eyes grew indecisive, darting across the room, until the capillaries within them bulged so greatly that I clenched my eyelids shut. Then, a long, deep breath.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, also known as OCD, is a disorder that affects about two to three percent of the population (UOCD). Knowing what OCD is and who it affects is just step one in understanding the psychology of this disorder. The psychological symptoms of OCD can be quite varied which can make it difficult to diagnose. Understanding the therapy techniques and how people with OCD live their daily lives is one of the most vital part in the psychology of OCD. While the roots of the disorder may be complex, understanding the disorder in everyday life is quite simple.

This case study was particularly fascinating in following the life of Karen Rusa and her obsessive compulsion disorder. It is interesting to study her childhood, present life, on-set symptoms she was experiencing, and the treatment she underwent. Though Karen withstood various trials that her OCD and depression effected greatly, I believe she received the best treatment to help her recover.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a disease that many people know of, but few people know about. Many people associate repeated washing of hands, or flicking of switches, and even cleanliness with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), however there are many more symptoms, and there are also explanations for those symptoms. In this paper, I will describe what obsessive compulsive disorder is, explain some of the effects of it, and explain why it happens. I will also attempt to prove that while medication doesn’t cure OCD, it vastly improves one’s quality of life. Furthermore I intend to show that behavior therapy (cognitive based therapy) is another useful tool in helping a person to overcome their OCD.

In a general view, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is associated with obsessions and compulsions. The obsessions are recurrent thoughts, fears, images, ideas, urges, and doubts. Patients suffering from this disorder often go through fluctuating episodes of compulsion which are in response to an obsessive thought, such as arranging, touching, repeatedly checking on something, and recurrent hand-washing. The patient experiences repeated rise in anxiety from the obsessions, that compels them to indulge in their compulsions as a form of relief (Brown University, 2013). Most of the patients suffering