Facts about Obsessive Compulsive

Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is also known a
s OCD
OCD is a medical disorder that causes problems
in the information processing.
OCD is classified by the DSM-IV as an anxiety
disorder
 Obsessions
Obsessions are thoughts, images or impulses that
recur and persist, despite efforts to ignore or conf
ront them.
Are accompanied by uncomfortable feelings suc
h as fear, doubt, or disgust.
Examples: Fear of germs or contamination
Aggressive thoughts towards others or self
Having things symmetrical or in a perfect order
 Compulsions
Repetitive behaviors
the action or state of forcing or being
forced to do something
Examples: Excessive cleaning and/or
handwashing
Ordering and arranging things in a particular,
precise way
Repeatedly checking on things
 OCD is often confused with:
Major Depressive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Social Phobias
ADHD
 Onset
Can occur any time from preschool age thr
ough adulthood
Typically by 40’s
Equally common in both male and female
 Risk Factors of OCD
 No concrete causes
 Genetics- first-degree relatives (such as a parent, s
ibling, or child) who have OCD are at a higher ris
k for developing OCD themselves.
 Environment
 Organic reasons
 Head injuries
 Brain Chemistry
 Basal Ganglia
 Encephalitis
DIFFERENTIAL
DIAGNOSIS
 Depressive Disorder vs. OCD

 Preoccupation with depressive thoughts

 “I have no friends”
 Realistic vs. absurd
 Generalized Anxiety Disorder vs OCD

 Excessive worrying and thinking

 Again realistic vs. absurd

 Patient with OCD may have extremely intense

/irrational thoughts
 The presence of compulsive rituals
 Hypochondrias vs. OCD

 Closely related
 Unrealistic preoccupation of medical concerns
 Presence of “checking rituals” to decrease anxi
ety
Main Ideas of Differential Diagnosis

 The presence of obsessive compulsive rituals

 The manner of the compulsive thoughts
For example: unrealistic vs. realistic
appropriate vs. inappropriate
 Treatment

 A. Medication
 B. Psycotherapy
 MEDICATION

 Controlling the symptoms

 Lessening the intensity and frequency
 Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs) are used to help reduce OCD
symptoms.
 Examples: Clomipramine, Fluoxetine
 Improvement usually takes 3 weeks
 Symptoms are reduced but not eliminated
 Side effects of SSRI’s
 Side effects: Insomnia, motor restlessness, nausea,
and diarrhea
 Long-Term treatment needed
 PSYCHOTHERAPY
 “Exposure” and “Response Prevention”
 Extremely uncomfortable for OCD patient

 80-90% improvement

 Symptoms are reduced but not eliminated

 Follow-up sessions needed for relapse

prevention
 USE OF BOTH THERAPIES
 Severe case of OCD
 Mild case of OCD
 Use of SSRI’s and behavior therapy prove to
have a 70% success rate
 Therapy determined by patient
 Willingness to take a medication
 Willingness to work with a psychologist
 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

 Positive and motivated patient

 Fully trained therapist during behavior therap
y
 OCD Groups
 Family provides encouragement and constant
reassurance