Obsessive–Compulsive and Related Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A mental disorder characterized by recurrent, persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses that cause marked anxiety and interfere with daily functioning.

Obsessions

Recurrent, persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses that cause marked anxiety and interfere with interpersonal, social, or occupational function.

Compulsions

Ritualistic or repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person carries out continuously in an attempt to neutralize anxiety.

Excoriation Disorder

A self-soothing behavior characterized by chronic skin-picking that causes distress and functional impairment.

Trichotillomania

A self-soothing behavior characterized by chronic repetitive hair-pulling that causes distress and functional impairment.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

A preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in physical appearance that causes significant distress and interferes with daily functioning.

Hoarding Disorder

A progressive, debilitating, compulsive disorder characterized by excessive acquisition of animals or apparently useless things, cluttered living spaces, and significant distress or impairment.

Onychophagia

Chronic nail-biting, a self-soothing behavior that may lead to psychosocial problems or complications involving the nails and oral cavity.

Kleptomania

Compulsive stealing, a reward-seeking behavior characterized by the thrill of stealing and not getting caught.

Oniomania

Compulsive buying, an acquisition type of reward-seeking behavior characterized by excessive and out-of-control spending.

Body Identity Integrity Disorder (BIID)

A condition in which individuals feel alienated from a part of their body and desire amputation, causing distress and anguish.

Cognitive Model of OCD

A model that explains OCD as a result of certain cognitive factors, such as the belief that one's thoughts are overly important, perfectionism, intolerance of uncertainty, and inflated personal responsibility.

OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions.

Environmental Influences

Factors in a person's surroundings that can contribute to the development of OCD.

Compulsive Behavior

Repetitive actions or rituals performed by individuals with OCD in an attempt to alleviate anxiety or prevent feared consequences.

Genetic Risk

The heritability of OCD and the involvement of variations in genes that may contribute to the development of the disorder.

Cultural Considerations

The impact of culture on the expression and beliefs about OCD symptoms, including heightened guilt and religious beliefs in some cultures.

Treatment

The combination of medication (SSRI antidepressants) and behavioral therapy (exposure and response prevention) as the optimal treatment approach for OCD.

Relaxation Techniques

Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery as techniques to manage and tolerate anxiety in individuals with OCD.

Exposure and Response Prevention

A behavioral therapy technique that involves deliberately confronting feared situations or stimuli and delaying or avoiding the performance of rituals.

Daily Routine

The importance of completing daily activities within a realistic time frame and gradually decreasing the time spent on ritualistic behaviors.

Therapeutic Communication

Offering support, validation, and encouragement to clients with OCD to help them manage anxiety and discuss their feelings and obsessions.

Client and Family Education

Teaching clients and their families about OCD, medication compliance, behavioral techniques, and the importance of open communication.

Elder Considerations

The rarity of OCD onset after age 50 and the need to consider organic causes for newly acquired obsessive or compulsive behaviors in older adults.

Community-Based Care

The importance of consistent practice of treatment techniques in the client's home and community for successful outcomes in OCD treatment.

CBT

A form of therapy that focuses on changing patterns of thinking and behavior to treat mental health disorders.

Computerized CBT

The use of technology to deliver CBT interventions, often through online platforms or software.

Effectiveness evaluation

The process of conducting large studies to assess the effectiveness of CBT and computerized CBT over time.

Self-help

Methods or techniques that individuals can use on their own to address their mental health concerns.

Online therapy

Therapy sessions conducted through online platforms, allowing individuals to receive professional support remotely.

Add-on therapy

The use of self-help or online therapy in addition to standard therapy to enhance treatment outcomes.

Stigmatization

The act of treating someone with shame or disapproval due to their OCD symptoms.

Self-awareness issues

Difficulties in understanding why individuals with OCD cannot simply stop their ritualistic behaviors.

Guilt and shame

Negative emotions experienced by individuals with OCD due to the senseless or bizarre nature of their behaviors.

Overwhelming fear and anxiety

Intense feelings of fear and anxiety that interfere with a person's ability to control their own actions.

Chronic nature of OCD

The long-term and recurring nature of OCD symptoms, which may require ongoing professional help.

Waxing and waning symptoms

OCD symptoms that fluctuate in intensity over time.

Professional support

The assistance and guidance provided by healthcare professionals in managing OCD symptoms.

Patterns of thinking and behavior

Repetitive thoughts and actions that are characteristic of OCD.

Stressful periods

Times when individuals with OCD experience increased symptoms and may require additional support.

Lasting effect on anxiety

The understanding that the ritual actions performed by individuals with OCD do not provide long-term relief from anxiety.