Key Points on OCD and Related Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Definition: OCD includes obsessions (unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors).
• Obsessions: Persistent, intrusive thoughts or urges that are distressing and often irrational, such as fears about germs, contamination, or aggression.
  • Examples:
  • Fear of touching dirty surfaces or not washing hands frequently enough.
  • Doubts about personal safety or cleanliness.
  • Urges related to sexual or aggressive thoughts.
• Compulsions: Behavioral responses to alleviate the stress caused by obsessions, which can include ritualistic actions like checking locks or turning lights on and off multiple times.
  • Example: A person may compulsively check if the doors are locked or the stove is off, leading to significant time loss and disruption in daily life.
• Prevalence: Approximately 2-2.5% of the population will experience OCD at some point in their lives.

Related Disorders

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder:

  • Preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance.
  • Individuals may engage in excessive checking of their appearance or undergo surgeries to correct these perceived flaws which often don’t improve their distress.
  • Lifetime prevalence of about 2.5%; higher in females but notable in males focusing on muscularity.

• Hoarding Disorder:

  • Defined as an inability to dispose of possessions regardless of their actual value, leading to cluttered living spaces that can significantly impair daily functioning.
  • Recent recognition in DSM-5 as a separate diagnosis rather than a subtype of OCD.

Anxiety Disorders

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
  • Symptoms follow exposure to a traumatic event such as combat, natural disasters, or assaults, including intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative mood, and heightened reactivity.
  • Symptoms can last for longer periods, often for years.
  • Lifetime prevalence around 7%.

Mood Disorders

• Depressive Disorders:

  • Characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and inability to function effectively.
  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Defined by having at least five of nine symptoms for two weeks or more. Symptoms include significant weight changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide.
  • Prevalence: Approximately 6-7% in a given year; about 17% will experience MDD at some point in their life.

• Bipolar and Related Disorders:

  • Involves episodes of mania (elevated mood) and depressive episodes.
  • Manic episodes involve high energy, grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, and reckless behavior.
  • Lifetime prevalence of about 1%, with genetics playing a significant role.

Schizophrenia

• Definition: A severe psychotic disorder characterized by positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking) and negative symptoms (affective flattening, lack of motivation).
• Positive Symptoms:
  • Hallucinations (usually auditory) and delusions, such as paranoia or grandiosity.
• Negative Symptoms:
  • Lack of motivation (avolition), social withdrawal (asociality), and reduced expression of emotions (flat affect).
• Prevalence: Approximately 1% lifetime prevalence; genetic factors significantly influence likelihood.

Personality Disorders

• Borderline Personality Disorder:

  • Features unstable interpersonal relationships, intense emotions, impulsivity, and fear of abandonment.
  • Lifespan prevalence around 1.5%; often co-occurs with mood and anxiety disorders.

• Antisocial Personality Disorder:

  • Characterized by a disregard for others' rights, impulsive behaviors, and lack of remorse.

Treatment and Management

• Various treatment options exist for each disorder, often involving cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and psychotherapy, tailored to individual's needs depending on the disorder severity and characteristics.