Overview of OCD and Related Disorders

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its associated concepts.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A mental health condition characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviors) that cause distress.

Obsessions

Intrusive and unwanted thoughts or images that cause anxiety and distress.

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared event.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

A mental disorder where a person is preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance.

Hoarding Disorder

A condition where individuals accumulate items excessively and struggle to discard them, even when they have little value.

Trichotillomania

A disorder characterized by compulsively pulling out one's own hair.

Excoriation Disorder

A condition involving repetitive skin-picking that can lead to skin lesions.

Olfactory Reference Syndrome

A condition where individuals have an intense preoccupation with a perceived offensive body odor.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

A personality disorder characterized by a chronic preoccupation with rules, orderliness, and control.

Thought-Action Fusion

The belief that thinking something can cause it to happen.

Magical Thinking

The belief that one's thoughts or actions can influence events in ways that defy laws of causation.

Anxiety

A feeling of apprehension or fear that can be experienced in various disorders, including OCD.

Genetic Link

The hereditary transmission of traits and conditions from one generation to another.

Neuropsychological Factors

Brain-based factors that may affect behavior, cognition, and emotional processing.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A form of therapy that helps individuals understand and change their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

A type of CBT that involves exposing patients to anxiety-provoking stimuli and preventing the accompanying compulsive response.

Cognitive Distortions

Errors in thinking that reinforce negative beliefs and contribute to emotional distress.

Doubting Disorder

A term attributing to repetitive checking behaviors stemming from insecurity or uncertainty.

Compulsive Gambling

A disorder where an individual feels an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the consequences.

Kleptomania

A compulsive disorder characterized by the recurrent urge to steal primarily for pleasure or relief.

Panic Disorder

An anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and related anxiety about future attacks.

Intrusive Thoughts

Unwanted, automatic thoughts that cause anxiety or distress.

Socially Sanctioned Behaviors

Behavioral patterns that are accepted or endorsed by society or culture.

Comorbidity

The simultaneous presence of two or more disorders or conditions in a patient.

Crisis Prevention

Strategies aimed at preventing a deterioration of a person's mental health condition.

Major Depression

A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest.

Cultural Influences

The values, beliefs, and practices that are shared within a specific society and can affect behavior.

Obsessive Jealousy

A form of jealousy that can lead to obsessive thoughts about a partner’s fidelity.

Perfectionism

A personality trait characterized by setting excessively high standards for oneself.

Insight

The awareness and understanding of one's own condition or behavior.

Therapeutic Alliance

The collaborative relationship between a therapist and a patient that is crucial for successful therapy.

Self-Injury

The act of deliberately inflicting harm on oneself, often associated with emotional distress.