Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders – Key Vocabulary

This set of vocabulary flashcards summarizes essential terms, disorders, treatments, and nursing interventions related to obsessive-compulsive and related disorders as outlined in the lecture notes.

Obsession

A recurrent, persistent, intrusive, unwanted thought, image, or impulse that causes marked anxiety, recognized by the person as excessive or unreasonable.

Compulsion

A ritualistic or repetitive behavior or mental act performed to reduce distress or prevent a dreaded event; temporarily relieves anxiety generated by obsessions.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Condition characterized by clinically significant obsessions, compulsions, or both, consuming ≥1 hour/day and interfering with social or occupational functioning.

OCD Personal Insight

Most individuals recognize their thoughts/behaviors as excessive yet feel powerless to stop them.

Common Obsessions

Fears of harm/aggression, contamination, symmetry or exactness, and taboo thoughts (e.g., sexual, religious).

Common Compulsions

Hand-washing, checking, ordering, counting, praying, or silently repeating words.

Hoarding Disorder

Persistent difficulty discarding possessions regardless of value, resulting in excessive accumulation that clutters living areas and causes distress or impairment.

Environmental & Health Dangers of Hoarding

Fire risk, tripping hazards, infestations, unsanitary conditions, strain on children/animals, financial and legal problems.

Lack of Insight (Hoarding)

Individuals often do not perceive hoarding as problematic and will tolerate family conflict rather than discard items.

Early Intervention in Hoarding

Beginning treatment before clutter becomes severe increases the likelihood of successful outcomes.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance causing significant distress and functional impairment.

BDD – Common Appearance Concerns

Skin, nose, hair, ears, or other body parts, leading to frequent cosmetic or dermatologic procedures.

Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)

Recurrent pulling out of one’s hair, resulting in hair loss and attempts to stop the behavior.

Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder

Recurrent skin-picking leading to lesions, repeated attempts to decrease the behavior, and clinically significant distress.

Substance/Medication-Induced Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorder

OCD-like symptoms attributable to substance intoxication, withdrawal, or medication exposure.

OCD & Related Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition

Obsessions/compulsions caused directly by a physiological effect of a medical illness.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Behavioral therapy that exposes the patient to anxiety-provoking stimuli while preventing the associated compulsion, reducing obsessive anxiety over time.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Structured psychotherapy that identifies and challenges distorted thoughts and develops healthier behavior patterns for OCD, BDD, and hoarding.

High-Dose SSRIs

Antidepressant medications (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline) prescribed at doses higher than those for depression to treat OCD and BDD.

Thought Stopping

A coping technique in which the individual consciously interrupts obsessive thoughts by saying “Stop!” or using a visual cue.

Relaxation Techniques

Methods such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation to lower baseline anxiety and reduce compulsive urges.

Nursing Care: Allow Time for Rituals

Initially permit performance of compulsions without judgment to build trust and prevent panic.

Nursing Care: Gradual Ritual Limitation

Systematically shorten or delay ritual time while teaching alternative anxiety-reducing strategies.

Positive Reinforcement for Non-ritualistic Behavior

Providing praise or rewards when the patient chooses adaptive behaviors instead of compulsions.

Trust-Building with Hoarding Patients

Demonstrating respect and a nonjudgmental attitude to foster openness and cooperation.

Family Involvement (Hoarding)

Engaging relatives to support safety measures, organization efforts, and after-discharge follow-up.

Adaptive Coping Strategies (BDD)

Activities emphasizing strengths not related to appearance, enhancing self-esteem and social functioning.

Assessment of Body Image (BDD)

Nursing evaluation of how the patient perceives appearance; recognize that the perceived flaw feels real to them.

Suicide Risk in BDD

High prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts; requires ongoing assessment and safety planning.

Exposure to Anxiety-Escalation Signs

Teaching patients to recognize and interrupt rising anxiety before compulsions begin.