What is OCD?

WHAT IS OCD OCD IS A TYPE OF ANXIETY DISORDER CHARACTERIZED BY RECURRENT, UNWANTED THOUGHTS AND REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS. INTERESTING FACTS In the United States, about 1 in 40 adults (aproximately 2.3% of the population) has OCD. More than % of adults (over 60 million people) have experienced OCD symptoms at some point in their lives. Approximately 1 in every 100 children worldwide has OCD. Approximately 1 in every 100 OCD symptoms are caused by a neurobiological problem combined with genetic, behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors that trigger the disorder in a specific individual at a particular point in time. 1. BIPOLAR DISORDER 2. DRUG DEPENDENCE About 25% of OCD sufferers 25% 3. OCD have an immediate family member with the Among mental health disorders, OCD has the third highest proportion of seriously disabling cases, surpassed only by bipolar disorder and drug dependence. disorder. BREAKING THE MYTH OF OCD'S CAUSES: STRESS ILLNESS PARENTING FAMILY ACCOMMODATIONS 3 There is no Families may unintentionally have an impact on the maintenance of OCD symptoms, family members may actually be enabling the individual with Stress doesn't Childhood illnesses do not cause OCD, although there is growing evidence that severe bacterial or viral infections may trigger the sudden onset of symptoms in children who are cause OCD, although symptoms sometimes begin after a severe trauma. evidence that the way parents' guide or discipline their children causes OCD, however, children might learn obsessions and compulsions from their parents. genetically predisposed to OCD. OCD, and symptoms worsen, rather than improve. WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF OCD? OCD IS DIAGNOSED WHEN OBSESSIONS AND COMPULSIONS 31 Consume excessive Cause significant distress. Interfere with daily functioning at work or school, or with social activities, family relationships and/or normal routines. amounts of time (an hour or more each day). IN SOME CASES COMPULSIONS ARE SHAPED BY THE NATURE OF OBSESSIONS. IN OTHER CASES THE COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR IS COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO THE OBSESSION. OBSESSIONS ARE COMPULSIONS ARE Persistent. Repetitive actions or rituals. Developed to relieve the distress caused by the obsessions. Uncontrollable thoughts. Impulses. Overt, we can see them. Intrusive, unwanted and disturbing images. Able to be carried out mentally, such as counting. Obsessions and compulsions cause anxiety that interferes with normal life. THE MOST COMMON OCD OBSESSIONS & RITUALS Fear that harm, illness or death will occur to oneself or Fear of germs or contamination. others and of causing harm to oneself or others (including violent or aggressive obsessions). Fears/feelings/urges related to numbers ("good", "bad" and "magical" numbers). Fears/feelings/urges related to discarding something and fears of contamination. Fears/feelings/urges related to symmetry or order. Excessive fear of violating religious or moral rules. XXX Fears/feelings/urges/ images related to sexual content. Excessive doubting/dread of uncertainty. Fears/feelings/urges related to having something "just right," "just so" or "perfect". WHAT IS POSTPARTUM OCD Two to three percent of new mothers develop postpartum OCD. (PPOCD)? PPOCD and Postpartum Depression frequently occur together. Excessively washing or sterilizing baby bottles. Experiencing persistent and terrifying fears of harming the baby. Excessively washing baby clothing, or washing other family members' clothing repeatedly. SYMPTOMS: Isolating the baby to keep family members or others from "contaminating" the baby. Constantly checking on the baby. CONDITIONS THAT MAY CO-EXIST WITH OCD: PEOPLE WITH OCD MUCH MORE OFTEN THAN NOT HAVE AT LEAST ONE OTHER CO-EXISTING DISORDER. 1 Anxiety Disorders 5 Feeding/Eating Disorders 2 Major Depressive Disorder 6 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 3 Bipolar Disorders 7 Tic Disorders/Tourette Syndrome (TS) 4 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) OTHER DISORDERS THAT CO-EXIST WITH OCD TEND TO SHARE SIMILARITIES, THESE DISORDERS INCLUDE: 1 Body Dysmorphic Disorder 2 Hoarding Disorder 3 Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling) Disorder 4 Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder 5 Other Specified Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders, e.g., body-focused repetitive behavior disorder (such as nail biting, lip biting, cheek chewing and obsessional jealousy). HOW IS OCDTREATED? OCD is generally treated with psychotherapy, medication or both. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) helps people overcome OCD by exposing them to what they fear without letting them perform compulsions. SOURCES: PRESENTED BY: • http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml • http://beyondocd.org/ocd-facts • http://beyondocd.org/ocd-facts/who-is-affected-by-ocd • http://beyondocd.org/ocd-facts/what-is-ocd • http://beyondocd.org/ocd-facts/what-causes-ocd • http://beyondocd.org/ocd-facts/what-doesnt-cause-ocd PCH Psychological Care & Healing Treatment Center