Overview of OCD and Related Disorders

OCD is classified based on performances of behaviors (compulsions) and intrusive thoughts (obsessions).
Common themes: anxiety, compulsions, and obsessional thoughts.

Obsessions:
- Intrusive and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images.
- They can be distressing and cause anxiety.
- Common examples include fears of contamination, fear of harming others, and irrational thoughts related to safety.
Compulsions:
- Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the distress associated with obsessions.
- These are aimed at preventing a feared event or situation, yet they often have no logical connection to the actual feared outcome.
- Examples include excessive handwashing, checking behaviors, and counting rituals.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD):
- Obsession with perceived defects in physical appearance.
- May lead to multiple surgeries to correct perceived flaws.
Hoarding Disorder:
- Difficulty discarding items, leading to cluttered living spaces and significant distress.
- There is compulsiveness in collecting with no purpose.
Skin Picking and Hair Pulling Disorders (e.g., Trichotillomania):
- Compulsive acts aimed at dealing with psychological distress.
Olfactory Reference Syndrome:
- Belief of having a foul body odor despite no objective evidence of it.

Anxiety is a symptom but not the primary feature of OCD; the obsessions and compulsions are.
OCD has a genetic link, neuropsychological factors, and similar biological vulnerabilities connecting various compulsive behaviors.

Individuals can have obsessions without compulsions and vice versa.
The notion of magical thinking manifests, where individuals believe that their thoughts directly influence reality.
- E.g., “If I don't do this ritual, something bad will happen.”

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically with exposure and response prevention:
- Patients face their fears without being allowed to perform compulsive behaviors, encouraging anxiety management.
- Can take time; involves systematic desensitization to locate triggers.
Medication:
- SSRIs like Paxil often prescribed, along with tricyclic antidepressants such as Clomipramine.
- Medication is sometimes combined with therapy for a multifaceted approach.

Early onset usually occurs in childhood or adolescence.
More prominent in boys during childhood, with equal prevalence in adulthood across genders.
Severity and symptoms can vary significantly among cultural contexts, showing less environmental influence.

OCD often coexists with other comorbid conditions, such as depression and social anxiety, complicating treatment approaches.
Focus on understanding and managing both obsessions and compulsions for effective therapeutic outcomes.
Importance of specialized treatment; casual therapy is often ineffective and can worsen conditions.
Recognition that OCD manifests uniquely in each individual, highlighting the necessity for tailored therapeutic interventions.