Living with OCD
Invisible Identity Series
February 20, 2014
S
OCD
OCS falls under the
Diagnostic Criteria for an
Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(OCD) is a disorder of the brain
and behavior. OCD causes
severe anxiety in those affected.
OCD involves both obsessions
and compulsions that take a lot
of time and get in the way of
important activities the person
values.
The symptoms of OCD are the obsessions and
compulsions and may vary…..
Common Obsessions include:
•
Repeatedly bathing, showering, or •
washing hands.
•
Refusing to shake hands or touch
doorknobs.
•
•
Repeatedly checking things, such
as locks or stoves.
Constant counting, mentally or
aloud, while performing routine
tasks.
•
Constantly arranging things in a
certain way.
•
Eating foods in a specific order.
Being stuck on words, images or
thoughts, usually disturbing, that
won't go away and can interfere
with sleep.
•
Repeating specific words, phrases,
or prayers.
•
Needing to perform tasks a certain
number of times.
•
Collecting or hoarding items with
no apparent value.
The symptoms of OCD are the obsessions and
compulsions and may vary…..
Common Compulsions include:
•
•
Fear of dirt or contamination by
germs.
Fear of causing harm to
another.
•
Fear of making a mistake.
•
Fear of being embarrassed or
behaving in a socially
unacceptable manner.
•
Fear of thinking evil or sinful
thoughts.
•
Need for order, symmetry, or
exactness.
•
Excessive doubt and the need
for constant reassurance.
Some Familiar Names With OCD
S Charles Darwin
S Penelope Cruz
S Billy Bob Thornton
S Howie Mandel
S Jessica Alba
S Ludwig Van Beethoven
S Donald Trump
S Albert Einstein
S Cameron Diaz
S Michelangelo
S Leonardo DiCaprio
S Charlie Sheen
S Michael Jackson
S David Beckham
S Harrison Ford
S Justin Timberlake
Video Clip
OCD GIRL
http://www.youtube.com/results
?search_query=OCD%20girl&sm=
3
S Recurrent and persistent thoughts,
Diagnostic
Criteria
The Person
Exhibits Either
Obsessions or
Compulsions
impulses, or images that are
experienced, at some time during the
disturbance, as intrusive and
inappropriate and that cause marked
anxiety or distress
S The thoughts, impulses, or images
are not simply excessive worries
about real-life problems
S The person attempts to ignore or
suppress such thoughts, impulses, or
images or to neutralize them with
some other thought or action
S The person recognizes that the
obsessional thoughts, impulses, or
images are a product of his or her
own mind (not imposed from without
as in thought insertion)
Diagnostic
Criteria
Compulsions
are indicated by
the following:
S
The person has repetitive behaviors (eg, hand
washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (eg,
praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the
person feels driven to perform in response to an
obsession or according to rules that must be
applied rigidly
S
The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at
preventing some dreaded event or situation;
however, these behaviors or mental acts either are
not connected in a realistic way with what they are
designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly
excessive…
S
B. At some point during the course of the disorder,
the person has recognized that the obsessions or
compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. (Note:
this does not apply to children.)
S
C. The obsessions or compulsions cause marked
distress, are time consuming (take more than 1
hour a day), or significantly interfere with the
person's normal routine, occupational/academic
functioning, or usual social activities or
relationships.
S
D. If another axis I disorder is present, the content
of the obsessions or compulsions is not restricted
to it (e.g., preoccupation with drugs in the
presence of a substance abuse disorder).
S
E. The disturbance is not due to the direct
physiologic effects of a substance (e.g., drug abuse,
a medication) or a general medical condition
•
Causes
OCD usually appears in early
adulthood, although children
can have it too. In such cases,
the disorder usually appears
around age 10 [source: Mayo
Clinic]. The actual causes of
the disease remain unknown,
though it likely has a
hereditary component [source:
NIH]. Stress also seems to
boost one's chances of
developing OCD, while many
OCD-related thoughts and
rituals can themselves inflict
enormous stress. Recent
research indicates a
relationship between the areas
of the brain associated with
decision-making, movement,
and checking or stopping
thoughts; over activity in this
mental circuit could
contribute to the disorder
[source: Men's Health].
How Common?
OCD affects men, women and children of all races and
backgrounds equally
According to the OC Foundation, approximately one in 40 adults and one in
200 children suffers from OCD at some point in their lives
There are also at least 1 in 200 – or 500,000 – kids and teens that have
OCD. This is about the same number of kids who have diabetes.
That means four or five kids with OCD are likely to be enrolled in any average
size elementary school. In a medium to large high school, there could be 20
students struggling with the challenges caused by OCD.
Living with Me and My OCD
by Claire Watkinson
S http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctosmjX4xp0&list=PL8641
E4ASu9nqkencpHBefenK7sehKDda
Living on Campus
The most important considerations regarding OCD and living on campus include:
Being aware of disorders such as OCD, as well as understanding of others and being
knowledgeable of residence hall policies
One of the greatest challenges tends to be living with roommates..
• If you/your roommate are having disagreements due to a pre-existing condition
such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, first have a conversation to identify where
each person is coming from.
• If you feel that you are unable to understand each other and need further
assistance, you should go to your resident advisor (RA). RA’s are equipped with
certain tools/training to deal with day-to-day conflicts. One tool example is a
standard roommate agreement developed by the Office of Residence Life. This
agreement covers many of the living arrangement aspects that may be affected by
compulsions, such as cleaning and sleep preferences.
• Should the situation escalate, you should reach out to the hall director (commonly
referred to as the RD or CD) of your building. This person will give you a better idea
of what your options may be as far as long term solutions (room changes, etc.) and
may identify the most valuable campus resources to help those involved in the
situation.
S
• Reduced quality of life
• Reduced quality in
Functional
Impairments
on Campus
relationships
• Inability to do work in
school
• Inability to complete
homework
• Reduction in psychosocial functioning
OCD Has lead to…….
Functional
Impairments
on Campus
•
Difficulty in Completing
Work
•
Agitation
•
Conflicts
•
Depression
•
Isolation
•
Difficulty Working in
Group
•
Lack of Sleep
•
Family/Roommate
Conflicts
Co-Morbidity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2WdpTLo
kkc
Co-Morbidity
OCD is an Anxiety Disorder and can be associated with:
S
ADHD
S
ASD
S
Mood Disorders (Depression, Bi –Polar)
S
Tic Disorders
S
Panic Disorders
S
Psychosis
S
Hoarding
* Non Response to treatment usually involves a Co-Morbid Condition
The International OCD
Foundation at the
Massachusetts General
Hospital in Boston, MA is the
best place for resources. This is
the link:
Resources
•
www.ocfoundation.org/ITP.as
px
Here you will find recommended
books for parents, family,
professionals, OCD patients,
teachers, etc.
You will also find other resources
that may be helpful.
Treatments
for Obsessive
Compulsive
Disorder
S
Cognitive Behavioral therapy
S
Exposure Therapy
S
Cognitive Retraining
S
Medication Management
S
SSRI’s
S
Family Therapy
S
Group Therapy
S
Relaxation Therapy
S
Exercise
S
Diet
S
Self Regulation (relaxation
techniques)
S
Avoid Alcohol