having obsessive compulsive disorder

Having Obsessive Compulsive DisorderBy: Alicia Burns

What is it? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder.

People that suffer from it exhibit unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead them to carry out compulsive and repetitive actions

Repetition and Compulsiveness

Click icon to add picture

The tasks above are generally not stressful. However, for a patient with obsessive compulsive disorder, the repetition can be grueling.

Symptoms Obsessions: unpleasant, unwarranted, persistence, and

repetitive thoughts. They do not make sense and these thoughts occur when trying to do or think something else (important).

Compulsions: These connect with the obsessions in that they reduce anxiety associated with the obsessions. They are strong and they are repetitive.

Examples of Thoughts

Click icon to add picture

These thoughts would intrude a persons thoughts while that person was thinking about something and cause anxiety.

When to see a doctor? Everyone has their perks. Some are extremely organized or

are perfectionists. However, a person becomes obsessive compulsive when their obsessions and compulsions get in the way of their lives.

Getting in the Way of Life

Click icon to add picture

This young woman could be doing much more productive tasks then cleaning a faucet; she could be forming a career and family

Causes Biology (genes and physical neural change), environment

(behavior), or serotonin deficiency can cause OCD Stressful event and family history can be factors also

Child with OCD

Click icon to add picture

This child may have had a parent who had OCD. For example, he r mother could have constantly washed her hands. Children follow their parents’ behavior. Additionally, family history is a risk factor.

Treatment Treatment can be difficult Two types

Psychotherapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Teaching healthy ways to manage Exposing to fears

Medications Clomipramine (Anafranil) Fluvoxamine (Luvox) Fluoxetine (Prozac) Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) Sertraline (Zoloft)

Medication

Click icon to add picture

Treatments vary according to the personality of the person and their obsessions

My Accounts

OCD is a complicated disorder. Also, many patients have multiple obsessions.

CleanlinessI always fear that I will be infected with something if I shake someone’s hands. or I touch something.

OrganizingIf something is not in their place, it bothers me. I can’t go even ten seconds without fixing it. I’ll move things back in their place.

OrganizingAlso, before going too bed, I’ll move my glasses case until its at the perfect location with the perfect number of water drops (I wash my hands before and then sprinkle it on the glasses case).

OrganizingI check the door knob so many times. I've broken it thrice. I twist and turn the key/knob until I am satisfied.

Sexual ImagesJust when I do not want them, these images intrude. They come up when I am under pressure and the situation is important.

Aggressive ImpulsesSometimes I want to shout bad words at office parties. I mouth them, but even that takes tremendous strength.

Other thoughtsEvery time I drive, I am horrifically scared that I have done something wrong. In fact, once I bumped into a curb and I did not leave the site for four hours. I only left because my colleague passed by me and insisted that I leave. She knew nothing happened.

Physical Compulsion/ComplicationUnder all the stress, I pull my hair very much. I am only thirty and I have a bald spot.

Physical Compulsion/ComplicationI also frequently pick at my skin. I can only wear long sleeves now. Summers are awkward times of the year for me.

Works Cited http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189 http://webpages.scu.edu/ftp/BGiven/Real%20Facts.html http://lifetherapygroup.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder.html http://

www.medicus.ru/psyhiatry/specialist/obsessivno-kompulsivnoe-rasstrojstvo-ili-nevroz-navyazchivyh-sostoyanij-34613.phtml

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=CFxGEbNN9HMIcM&tbnid=GuT3KFLz1txo4M:&ved=0CAEQjxw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmRcXS4mFp38&ei=ZnqjUvmxK8adkQeD-YDYDg&bvm=bv.57752919,d.eW0&psig=AFQjCNED9QtlWAfpPFP0W0NUW9XGH-6kbQ&ust=1386531781149024

http://anxietyresearchcenter.com/ocd/ http://hangingbyasilverlining.blogspot.com/2011/04/all-mixed-up-and-no-where-to-go.html http://m.inmagine.com/image-ptg01314771-Arm-covered-in-mosquito-bites%20Samboja%20East-Kalimantan-/-

Kalimantan-Timur%20Borneo%20Indonesia.html http://revivogen.com/blog/can-stress-cause-hair-loss/ http://www.primermagazine.com/2012/learn/how-to-change-your-girlfriends-front-door-lock-and-deadbolt http://ocd-gone-in-seven-days.com/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-what-is-it-really/ http://lmrphotographyphotos.blogspot.com/2013/06/bad-and-good.html http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/10/even-young-ch-1.html http://

angryjogger.com/coping-with-negative-anxious-thoughts-while-running-when-your-mind-is-your-own-worst-enemy.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Road_Curb.JPG http://jaimeinlondon.blogspot.com/2011/01/angry-face-waxingi-mean-threading.html

Disclaimer This is a project for a high school AP Psychology course.

This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment/ For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org