Obsessive+Compulsive+Disorder

RUNNING HEAD: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Louis Pizzichillo Liberty University Dr. Parker 1 April 2010

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder



media type="youtube" key="tPFQMRx2l3Y" height="405" width="500"(Obsessive-compulsive disorder, 2007)

Arguably, the average man takes about thirty to forty-five minutes every morning to prepare himself to leave the house. Women are far more complex, so for the sake of the illustration they will be left out. For a person with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder tasks as menial as getting ready in the morning can often take hours, that is, if the tasks are completed at all.

**Overview** The National Institute of Mental Health defines OCD as an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors (Obsessive compulsive disorder, 2010). The repetitive behaviors are the fulfillment or result of the recurrent unwanted thoughts. These behaviors are performed with the hope of satisfying the anxiety caused by the nagging obsessions. Rejection of the resultant behaviors will temporarily but dramatically increase anxiety. Ritualistic behaviors can range in anything from constant hand washing to unnecessary counting. Depending on the severity of the individual case, most people with OCD can lead fairly normal lives. In a study done with a group of people with the disorder 42.1% were single, and 42.1% were unemployed, showing that though it is a hindrance to daily life, the majority have the ability to cope with society (Aigner, 1997).

**Obsessions** Obsessions are the abstract or internal aspect of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. These are unwanted, seemingly uncontrollable thoughts, concepts, images, or impulses that plague the mind of the individual with OCD. Unfortunately, the obsessions are beyond logic, unexplainable. (Stewart, n.d.) If an individual is obsessed with a locked door he or she might go back to check the door two, three, or four times and still have an impulse to check it a fifth time. This is not the result of short term memory loss, nor do they think that someone may have unlocked it, or even that the door is not working properly, but rather a natural impulse and internal discontentment with the situation.

**Compulsions** Compulsions or rituals are the physical acts carried out because of the driving obsession. Overcoming OCD can be a torturous process because all of the aspects of therapy are rooted in the process of ignoring the impulses. Neglecting these compulsions result in a painful increase in anxiety and nervousness, often crippling to the individual. Compulsive urges are quite similar to the urges that accompany drug addiction. In the same way that satisfying a drug craving temporarily relieves anxiety, the urge returns the following time with a much greater magnitude. Some researchers argue that culture has the greatest influence on the obsessions (Dulaney, 1994). Evidence showing the brains chemical involvement however, seems to point toward a problem relating to culture only in that the individual with OCD may face different obstacles.

**5 Categories of People with OCD** The driving force behind “washers” is the overwhelming fear of germs or contamination (Smith, n.d.). The obsession is far more than a concern, but rather a constant preoccupation with the individual’s petrified state of mind. The fear, being beyond logic, usually is not rooted in an actual fear of being sick. Howie Mandel, host of Deal or No Deal and also a “washer,” admits to actually being sick quite regularly because his underexposure to germs has caused his body to lack the antibodies that the average human would have (Tesh, 2008). Rituals can be any of the follow: hand washing, over sanitation, underexposure to society, and in extreme cases, isolation. media type="youtube" key="dRLYJabNTZg" height="405" width="500"(Tesh, 2008) **Checkers** “Checkers” are obsessed with their fear of forgetting something that might result in dangerous consequences. Constantly re-checking things is a part of the daily lifestyle of those in this individual group (Smith, n.d.). A locked door, hot iron, stove top, or hot oven can all potentially be an object of obsession.
 * Washers**

**Doubters** The obsessions that “doubters” face are arguably the most difficult to grasp because they can be rooted in nearly anything, and may often result in completely unrelated rituals (Smith, n.d.). A man in China is recorded to have an obsession rooted in his concern for his half- sister with small pox, however instead of nurturing or actively caring for her in the way most people would cope with this unfortunate reality, the man was convinced that if he constantly occupied himself with mentally redirecting his sister’s illness to someone else, she would be healed (Dai, 1957).

Order and symmetry consume the mind of someone with OCD who would be classified as a “counter.” Going far beyond typical organization, the “counter” must have balance and order in every situation under his or her control. An individual with this problem might be found ritualistically opening and closing a door five times and then turning the light on and off five times, and doing most every other thing five times, or however many times the individual needs to achieve balance (Smith, n.d.).
 * Counters **

Someone diagnosed with OCD that may seem to be living in trash, literally, might be classified as a “hoarder.” He or she is terrified of accidentally throwing something away that could potentially be useful later on. The fear is rooted in the concept of loosing something that can never be recovered (Smith, n.d.).
 * Hoarders **

Knowledge is power. The reason the overwhelming majority of this page is dedicated to basic knowledge of OCD is because knowledge of the facts is a vital aspect of understanding the method to this madness. Living with someone who has OCD can be very difficult and annoying at times, but these minor inconveniences hardly measure up to living everyday with these unending and uncontrollable impulses. The most effective method a teacher can possibly use regarding a student with OCD is patience and understanding (Leininger, 2010). Students can be cruel, so it is important to be protective of the less fortunate individuals, and even more important to not add to the unending harassment they face daily. Go beyond sympathy and empathize with the student. Sympathizing is taking pity on, or feeling bad for the student, but empathizing is actually putting one self in the shoes of a person with the disorder, and trying to picture what it would be like to face OCD in every minute of life. “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Philippians 2:1-2 (NKJV)
 * Teaching Children with OCD **

Final Exam Questions 1. What is the primary driving force behind compulsions? a. anxiety b. nervousness c. stress d. obsession

2. Compulsions are also referred to as... a. rituals b. habits c. drives d. cooties

3. Which of the following is one of the OCD groups? a. Runners b. touchers c. hoarders d. takers

4. True or False: OCD is only found in the U.S.

5. Returning home to make sure the stove wasn't left on is likely an act of a... a. Doubter b. Washer c. Checker d. Tester

**Works Cited**

Obsessive-compulsive disorder. (2007). [Web]. Retrieved from []

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, ocd. (2010, March 18). Retrieved from []

Aigner, M., Demal, U., Bach, M., & Zitterl, W. (1997). Quality of life for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder attending a self-help group. Quality of Life Research, 6(7/8), Retrieved from []

Dai, B. (1957). Obsessive compulsive disorder in chinese culture. Social Problems, 4(4), Retrieved from []

Dulaney, Siri. (1994). Cultural rituals and obsessive-compulsive disorder: is there a common psychological mechanism?. Ethos, 22(3), Retrieved from []

Leininger, M. (2010). Teaching students with obsessive-compulsive disorder.. Intervention in School & Clinic, 45(4), doi: 10.1177/1053451209353447

Smith, Melinda. (n.d.). Ocd: symptoms and treatment for compulsive behavior and obsessive thoughts in children and teens. Retrieved from []

Stewart, S.E. (n.d.). Ocd in children and teens. Retrieved from [|http://www.ocfoundation.org/childOCD.aspx#Child_Life]

Tesh, J. (Broadcaster). (2008). Howie mandel says, "i don't touch anything in a hotel room". [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRLYJabNTZg