Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors "Compulsive" and "obsessive" have become everyday words. "I'm compulsive" is how some people describe their need for neatness, punctuality, and shoes lined up in the closets. "He's so compulsive is shorthand for calling someone uptight, controlling, and not much fun. "She's obsessed with him" is a way of saying your friend is hopelessly lovesick. That is not how these words are used to describe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD, a strange and fascinating sickness
about 1.1 - 3% of the United States population is affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. There has been extensive research on techniques and therapies to help this population. Therapist delivered treatment encompasses strategies that are rooted from cognitive-behavioral school of thought. The common goal for all approaches is to treat the obsessive and compulsive behaviors that are the hallmarks for this disorder. The compulsive and repetitious actions are experienced involuntarily as a way for the
understand human behavior and the motivating force behind these actions. In the early 1900s, B.F. Skinner began publishing work and contributing to the field of behaviorism. Skinner encouraged the idea of positive reinforcement but strayed away from punishment. In fact, he argued positive reinforcement is the most effective means for behavior modification. Skinner’s early work paved the way for the establishment of applied behavioral analysis (Pierce & Cheney, 2004). Applied behavior analysis is formed
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is considered an anxiety disorder. “Anxiety disorders make their sufferers feel disproportionately anxious or fearful.” McGrath (2007) With OCD people experience obsessive thoughts, images or impulses repeatedly ranging from annoying to extremely distressing. They then respond to those thoughts with repetitive compulsive behaviors or thoughts. New studies have shown that around 6-9 million Americans alone suffer from OCD. The research I have done on the subject
that Mandel suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. A person with obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized as someone who tends to have obsessive thoughts that may vary from person to person. These obsessions also tend to be associated with compulsions which are defined as repetitive behaviors (Beidel, Bulik, & Stanley, 2012, p. 131). What makes these behaviors abnormal is its tendency to cause a disturbance in one's life in some form. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a type of disease that
I wanted to research on the topic of obsessive compulsive disorders because of my great aunts experience with it. My great aunt Molly had obsessive compulsive behavior. This disorder came to kill her. She was vacuuming, I’m not sure for how long but she called her sister and explained she felt as if she was having a heart attack. Great aunt Molly said to her sister she could not call an ambulance until she finished cleaning the floors. She never got to finish cleaning the floors because she died
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is defined by select characteristics (compulsions) and thoughts (obsessions). Obsessive-compulsive disorder usually consists of irrational obsessions, fears, and compulsions. (Mayo, 1) Though obsessions and compulsions are common, it is not necessary to have both when defining Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some individuals with OCD only have obsessions or compulsions. (Mayo,1) It takes a professions therapist to diagnose Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therapists will
Psychological Assessments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) published by the American Psychiatric Association, used by psychologists to classify mental disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is defined by obsessions and compulsions that are time-consuming, uncontrollable, and interfere with the individual’s cognition and social development (APA, 2000). For the purpose of this paper the focus will be on
feels about her fear. After a while, her fear comes back and she starts her ritual of washing her hands repeatedly again. This person is most likely affected by OCD. Obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) and/or repeating certain behaviors over and over again (compulsions) (Baldridge). OCD affects both men and women equally and it affects about two percent of the population (Britannica.com). Living with OCD is challenging
have a psychological disorder known as an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It has recently been found that 2.2 million Americans have been tested and diagnosed with OCD and is a common disorder affecting 1-3% of children and adolescents (Thomsen 5). OCD is known to be hereditary and the symptoms may spread out and begin to get worse at different times (Thomsen 2). So what is OCD? What causes it, what are the treatments and symptoms of this behavior? How this disorder can affect a human’s life? I
that can only be relieved when the act in question is done. A compulsion could be counting, arranging or checking. It becomes psychological when the behavior prevents the person from living a normal life. (p.364-365) According to OCD Facts, symptoms of OCD. (n.d.). Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) fall under
June could have learned the obsessive compulsive behavior by observing others avoid anxiety by cleaning. Cognition is an example of how the learning perspective could have influenced June’s behavior. This explains how a person can over exaggerate a scenario. June may also believe that if her house is not spotless clean than she will get sick from germs and bacteria. These factors can all be a part of a learning perspective that can cause a change in behavior of an individual. References Scott,
In the movie, “What About Bob”, the character Bob Wiley displays many different psychological symptoms and disorders. He displays symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and agoraphobia, predominately. Bob is a middle-aged man that has been in therapy for many, many years. The opening scene of the movie shows the audience many of Bob's disorders, as well as symptoms. It appears as though Bob’s current therapist is attempting to get away from Bob, by pushing him on to his colleague, Dr. Marvin
presenting symptoms that would best meet the criteria for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, based on the DSM-IV-TR. Her obsessions consist of recurrent and persistent thoughts and impulses that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and cause marked anxiety or distress. The thoughts and impulses are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems. She is showing repetitive behaviors that meet the compulsion criteria by her need to clean her apartment
Darien is a patient who possibly displays comorbidity. His symptoms lead me to believe that he could possibly be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Darien’s symptoms that point to OCD are that he has rituals he must complete and if he does not he becomes anxious and is unable to continue with his day. He is however aware that these rituals are not actually helping him but he cannot stop doing them. He also reports feeling anxious most of the day, especially
This media project will focus on the character of Howard Hughes in the film The Aviator. Based on the information provided in the film, this character is portrayed as having Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The purpose of this paper is to describe the disorder as it applies to the character, describe how the disorder impacted the character’s life, explain factors that likely impacted the character, comment on the accuracy of the character portrayal, and provide information about the respectfulness
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, otherwise known as OCD, is a common mental illness that many people around the world have. OCD is one of the most talked about mental disorders and because of that, every once in a while, one might here a person say, “I have OCD!”, but the truth is that they probably don’t. OCD is a much more complex illness than most people might think. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is not a rare mental or anxiety disorder, according to OCD-UK.org, OCD can affect as many as 12 in every
Obsessive compulsive disorder is said to affect 2.3% of the population who are between the ages of eighteen and fifty-four. In the United States alone, 3.3 million people suffer from this mental illness. Statistics have shown that both men and women are equally affected by obsessive compulsive disorder. Children as young as six years old could show signs of OCD, however, diagnosis at this age could be difficult. In most cases, signs of OCD become definite during adolescence into early adulthood.
easily. He was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive Disorder or OCD. Due to this condition, he had made sure everything was made perfect and in an organized manner. His condition nearly killed him at one point of his life. As depicted in the film, his condition only worsened later in his life. Mayo Clinic defines Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as an anxiety disordered characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsession) that lead to to do repetitive behaviors ( compulsions). A person with OCD has
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry. The acts of those who have OCD may appear paranoid and potentially psychotic. However, OCD sufferers generally recognize their obsessions and compulsions as irrational and may become further distressed by this realization. Obsessive–compulsive disorder affects children and adolescents, as well as adults. Roughly one third to one half of adults with