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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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Description: In this disorder, there is a presence of obsessions and/or compulsions, or both.

  • Obsessions: Thoughts that are persistent and ongoing along with urges that are very intrusive and unwanted and triggers a lot of anxiety and distress.

  • Compulsions: Behaviors that are repetitive that an individual will perform to rid themselves of these distressing obsessions. The compulsive behaviors are done to lessen the anxiety that is caused by the obsessions. Both obsessions and compulsions are very time consuming, and causes much impairment in all areas of an individuals’ functioning.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

  • Obsessions:

  1. Intrusive and unwanted thoughts, causing much anxiety

  2. Fear of germs and fears of contamination

  3. A need for orderliness and symmetry

  4. Forbidden thoughts: on sex; on religion; on harm to self or to others

  5. Hoarding

  • Compulsions

  1. Compulsions done to relieve anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts

  2. Constant hand washing, repeatedly

  3. Constant checking ( if doors are locked; is the stove turned off)

  4. Constant silently counting things, excessively

  5. Ordering items in a certain way

  6. Hoarding behaviors

 

Common Populations/People Vulnerable to OCD

  • First degree relatives

  • Genetics

  • Experience of head trauma

  • Children who experience physical and/or sexual abuse

  • Experience of stressful life events

  • Experience of traumatic life events

  • Onset by 19 to 20 years

  • Onset after 35 years is infrequent, but can occur

  • Females have a slightly higher occurrence than males

  • Males: OCD more frequent in childhood

  • Tic disorders common with OCD

  • Adults with OCD, often also have an anxiety disorder

  • Adults with OCD, often also have a depressive disorder

  • Associations occur with OCD and ODD ( Oppositional Defiant Disorder)

  • Associations occur with OCD and eating disorders

  • Associations occur with OCD and bipolar disorder

  • Associations occur with OCD and schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia

 

 

Treatments for OCD

  • Medications, such as antidepressants

  • Psychotherapies

  • Behavior therapies such as CBT ( Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

 

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Berks County Resources:

  • Services, Access & Management of Berks County: Mental health services, crisis and emergency interventions. Call 610-236-0530.

  • The Greater Mental Health Alliance for support groups. Call 610-775-3000.

  • Dr. Edward Chastka, 1500 Penn Ave. Suite 1, Wyomissing, Pa. Call 484-663-5296

  • Springfield Psychological of Sinking Spring, 2909 Windmill Rd., Sinking Spring, Pa. Call 610-850-9655

  • Dr. Anthony Fischetto & Associates, Reading, pa. Call 610-413-0375

  • Stoudt & Reilly Psychological Services, 6720 Perkiomen Ave., Birdsboro, PA. Call 610-589-0702.

  • Callowhill Family Therapy, 244 N. 5th St., Reading, PA. Call 610-915-8071.

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Greater Lehigh Valley Resources:

  • Services, Access & Management of Lehigh and Northhampton Counties for mental health services, including crisis and emergency services. Call 610-419-9102.

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness ( NAMI). 802 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, Pa.Education, information and support for family & friends with mental illness. Call 610-882-2102

  • Jane Z. Pile, PhD. @ 1011 Brookside Drive, Suite 307, Allentown, PA. Call 484-652-8814.

  • Dench Counseling, Sport & Wellness Centre, 4742 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, Pa. Call 610-365-4354.

  • Lehigh Psychological Services, 5920 Hamilton Blvd. # 103, Allentown, pa. Call 610-915-8038

  • Center for Integrative Psychotherapy, 1251 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Suite 211 D, Allentown, Pa. Call 610-898-3261

  • Center for Integrated Behavioral Health, 1 Bethlehem Plaza @ 1 West Broad Street, 8th Floor, Bethlehem, Pa. Call 484-652-8732.

 

Web Site Resources:

  • Mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/home

  • Iocdf.org ( International OCD Foundation)

  • www.adaa.org ( Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

  • beyondocd.org

  • https://kids.locdf.org ( OCD in children)

  • Name.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder

 

Book Resources:

  • The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing: The Experience and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Judith L. Rapoport

  • The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide To Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by John Hershfield, MFT.

 

Hotlines:

  • 911

  • 1-800-SUICIDE

  • Ruok? 610-236-0530 ( a texting service)

 

References:

  1. American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

  2. Brakoulias, V.,Starcevic, V., Martin, A., Berle, D., Milicevic, D., & Viswasam, K.(2016).The familiality of specific symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Psychiatry Research, 239, 315-319.

  3. Cordeiro, T., Sharma, M.P., Thennarasu, K., & Reddy, Y.C.J. ( 2015).Symptom dimensions in obsessive-compulsive disorder and obsessive beliefs. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 37(4), 403-408.

  4. MedlinePlus. ( 2016,Febuary 2). OCD. Retrieved April 14, 2017 from medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000929.htm.

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