Question

Select 1 the following disorders:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Hoarding Disorder

Focus your discussion of the disorder on the following:

What are some of the symptoms? What would this disorder look like in person? Make sure you relate this back to the DSM criteria.

Based on your research, do you think the media has portrayed the disorder you selected in an unbiased manner or is it sensationalized? Support your answer.

In the DSM-IV Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Trichotillomania were in separate chapters.

Why do you think the DSM-5 has placed Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Trichotillomania into a chapter called Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders? Support your answer with research.

You may also research the psychological disorders, by reviewing an electronic version of the DSM-5 in CTU's library. For more information on accessing the DSM-5 in the library please review How to Access DSM-5 and/or watch this video.

Answer 1

Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder where those suffering from it experience recurrent uncontrollable thoughts that are called obsessions which drives them to perform certain actions, called compulsions. These actions, which are repetitive, such as washing of hands or repeatedly checking on things, can interfere considerably with a persons daily routine. There are many people that experience these repetitive thoughts, however in case of people diagnosed with this disorder, the compulsions are unavoidable, and cause behaviours that are rigid, and persistent, and not performig these actions can cause significant distress.

The physician or mental health professional will determine whether you meet the specific obsessive-compulsive disorder criteria listed in the DSM-5, during the psychological evaluation portion of your visit. Your symptoms must meet both the general and specific characteristics of obsessive compulsive disorder.

To receive an OCD diagnosis, you must meet these general criteria:

• You must have obsessions and compulsions
• The obsessions and compulsions must significantly impact your daily life
• You may or may not realize that your obsessions and compulsions are excessive or unreasonable

Your obsessions must meet specific criteria:

• Intrusive, repetitive and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress
• The thoughts do not just excessively focus on real problems in your life
• You unsuccessfully try to suppress or ignore the disturbing thoughts, urges, or images
• You may or may not know that your mind simply generates these thoughts and that they do not pose a true threat

Your compulsions must meet specific criteria:

• Excessive and repetitive ritualistic behavior that you feel you must perform, or something bad will happen. Examples include hand washing, counting, silent mental rituals, checking door locks, etc.
• The ritualistic compulsions take up a least one hour or more per day
• You perform these physical rituals or mental acts to reduce the severe anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts.

A person suffering from OCD may have a fear of germs and dirt,and to remove this contamination, they might feel the compulsion to spend hours washing themselves or cleaning the things around them. Repetition also helps to reduce the anxiety for a while, and thus one may find them repeating a name or a chant in a particular order over and over again until the ritual is completed. They are fully aware that these repetitions wont help guard them, but they are unable to rest in peace unless they do perform the entire ritual. OTher forms of compulsion include checking the same thing repeatedly, or a particular number of times, example, a gas stove, or the lock on a door.