Question

Psychological Disorders.

Choose a disorder that the textbook covers that most interests you.

Discuss the definition of the disorder, symptoms, treatments, and why you chose this disorder.

Find a recent empirical article on your disorder (last 5 years). Briefly summarize the purpose, methods, and findings of your article.

How is this disorder typically portrayed in the media? Is it accurate based on your research?

Answer 1

Obsessive compulsive disorder

It is a common disorder which is chronic and long lasting which comprises of having frequent uncontrollable obsessive thoughts and behaviors (compulsive) that one feels like they have to repeat time and again. It is not a normal behavior like biting nails frequently, it is a disorder that interferes with your daily task and affects your school, work, relationships and stops you from having a normal life. Symptoms include obsessive thoughts like fear of getting germs; need to place things in a particular order, constant doubts of your partner cheating on you etc. It also includes compulsive behaviors like placing items in a particular order, checking for something multiple times, extensive cleaning etc. OCD is a common disorder that affects people of all ages all over the world. The common risk factors are genetics: twin studies have found high correlation of OCD; also individuals with first degree relative with OCD have a higher chance of having OCD. The environment also is a major risk factor for OCD. Children or adults who experienced trauma or physical/sexual abuse have a higher probability of developing the disease.

The treatment for OCD is typically medications or psychotherapy. OCD can occur for individuals with other disorders like anxiety and depression. According to statistics, psychotherapy is a highly effective treatment option for OCD which includes cognitive behavior therapy and habit reversal training.

The real why I chose this disorder was because I know relative who have this. Also I have been labelled to have OCD because I tend to organize things and clean my house all the time. I double check everything and don’t like to touch things like the door knob. I also feel like the term OCD is widely used in regular terms as people do not realize that it is an actual disorder.

A study was by Christine Purdon on ‘Empirical investigations of thought suppression in OCD’. The aim of the study was to find out thought suppression played a key factor in the development and persistence throughout OCD. According to the review of literature conducted by the study, there was a high prevalence of thought suppression and its relevance to OCD. The study had a correlational research design and it was conducted on an undergraduate sample. The study revealed that t negative appraisal predicted suppression which in turn predicted OCD symptoms. However, the study had a limitation it relied on retrospective self-report of past experiences rather than actual behavior associated with current thought occurrences.

The problems that OC behaviors engender in one’s life are minimalized or diminished to laughter. Television shows explicitly target obsessive compulsive behaviors as a source of amusement. For example, on the television show, the Big Bang Theory, one of the main characters, Sheldon Cooper, displays extreme OC behaviors. The entire show gains its television ratings by making fun of Sheldon’s OC tendencies and his “nerdy” interests. Another show, Monk, is about Adrian Monk (the main character) and his extreme obsessive compulsive behaviors. Again here we see the purpose of the show is to create humor at the sake of Monk’s very real problems (Lowe; Media Portrayals of OCD).

In addition the media not only makes fun of people suffering from OCD, but also uses the term OCD incorrectly. In fact, however, a real struggle with OCD is a manifestation of anxiety that creates an actual disturbance in one’s life. OCD is characterized by “recurrent and disturbing thoughts (called obsessions) or repetitive, ritualized behaviors that the person feels driven to perform (called compulsions). Yet, the seriousness of this anxiety disorder is not apparent to the wider public.