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5: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Stressor Related Disorders

  • Page ID
    219750
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    • 5.1: Why It Matters- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Stressor-Related Disorders
      This page examines Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) behaviors and distinguishes them from harmless superstitions, such as athlete rituals. Unlike benign rituals, OCD significantly impairs daily life through uncontrollable obsessions and compulsions, exemplified by repeated actions driven by irrational fears. The module intends to provide a deeper understanding of OCD and related stressor-related disorders.
    • 5.2: Introduction to Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
      This page provides an overview of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, highlighting their chronic nature and the impact of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors on daily life. It also mentions associated conditions like body dysmorphic disorder, hearing disorder, trichotillomania, and excoriation, each characterized by unique symptoms.
    • 5.3: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
      This page outlines Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), distinguished by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that disrupt life. Common obsessions are fears of contamination, leading to actions like excessive hand washing. OCD has genetic links and can be triggered in children by PANDAS after strep infections. The text also discusses compulsive behaviors as negative reinforcement, which alleviates anxiety but reinforces the cycle of OCD.
    • 5.4: Body Dysmorphic Disorder
      This page discusses Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), which involves an intense focus on perceived appearance flaws, leading to compulsive behaviors and affecting 2.4% of adults, predominantly women. BDD is associated with poor life quality, other mental health issues, and higher suicide risk, often influenced by factors like low serotonin and trauma.
    • 5.5: Hoarding Disorder
      This page discusses hoarding disorder (HD), characterized by excessive accumulation of possessions and inability to discard them, leading to clutter that affects living conditions. HD is distinct from OCD, affecting 2-5% of the population, often starting in adolescence. Comorbid conditions include depression and ADHD, with treatment options like cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications.
    • 5.6: Trichotillomania (Hairpulling Disorder)
      This page discusses Trichotillomania (TTM), a psychological disorder characterized by compulsive hair-pulling leading to hair loss and distress, primarily affecting women from childhood or adolescence. It often coincides with low self-esteem, anxiety, and other disorders like OCD and PTSD. Treatment options vary, with children typically outgrowing it, while adults may require professional help, including behavior modification and habit reversal training (HRT).
    • 5.7: Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
      This page discusses excoriation disorder, a compulsive skin-picking condition linked to stress, childhood trauma, and neurological imbalances, particularly affecting females. It can lead to significant physical and psychological harm, with a prevalence of 1.4% to 5.4% in various populations. The content also includes academic references and resources related to skin-picking and behavioral treatments, along with licensing and contributor information under Creative Commons.
    • 5.8: Introduction to Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
      This page discusses trauma and stressor-related disorders, including PTSD, acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and attachment disorders. It emphasizes that reactions to trauma differ among individuals due to personal experiences and resilience. Those with inadequate coping mechanisms that disrupt their lives may be diagnosed with these disorders.
    • 5.9: Stressors
      This page examines various stressors, distinguishing between chronic ones, like long-term caregiving, and acute stressors, such as accidents. Traumatic events can lead to PTSD, while significant life changes may require adjustments. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale measures stress with life change units but faces some criticism. Daily hassles, especially interpersonal conflicts, significantly impact health.
    • 5.10: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
      This page discusses post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stemming from traumatic experiences like combat or violence, with symptoms including intrusive memories and hyperarousal. Risk factors involve trauma severity and personal history, particularly affecting women and non-White individuals. Social support is crucial in reducing PTSD risk, as evidenced by studies on Vietnam veterans.
    • 5.11: Acute Stress Disorder and Adjustment Disorders
      This page summarizes acute stress disorder (ASD) and adjustment disorder (AD), highlighting their onset, symptoms, and treatment options. ASD arises within a month of trauma, while AD follows an identifiable stressor within three months and generally resolves within six months. Both disorders illustrate the mental health impacts of stress.
    • 5.12: Reactive Attachment Disorder and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
      This page explores attachment theory, detailing attachment styles (secure, avoidant, resistant, disorganized) and disorders (Reactive Attachment Disorder - RAD, Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder - DSED). RAD leads to withdrawn behavior, while DSED results in outgoing behavior towards strangers, both stemming from inadequate caregiving. Treatment requires specialized caregiver interventions and recognizes the complexity of diagnosis.
    • 5.13: Introduction to Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Stressor-Related Disorders
      This page covers psychological perspectives and treatment methods for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It details various treatments, including psychotherapeutic interventions and pharmaceuticals, designed to improve the quality of life for affected individuals. The page promises a thorough examination of the approaches utilized for treating both disorders.
    • 5.14: Psychological Perspectives on OCD and Trauma-Related Disorders
      This page discusses psychological viewpoints on OCD and PTSD, covering biological, sociocultural, psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive perspectives. It highlights genetic factors, cultural influences, internal conflicts, obstacles to self-actualization, and misconceptions about intrusive thoughts. Key concepts include thought-action fusion in OCD and the impact of traumatic experiences on perceptions of safety in PTSD.
    • 5.15: Treatment for OCD and Related Disorders
      This page outlines treatment options for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related conditions, highlighting the effectiveness of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and antipsychotics. It emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) as key treatments, particularly for hoarding disorder. The focus for hoarding is on motivation and organizational skills.
    • 5.16: Treatments for PTSD
      This page discusses therapeutic methods for PTSD, emphasizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). CBT helps patients face trauma over 8-12 sessions, while EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to process distressing memories, showing strong evidence of effectiveness. Additionally, virtual reality therapy (VRT) is noted for its usefulness in treating combat-related PTSD by allowing patients to relive memories in realistic settings.
    • 5.17: Memory Reconsolidation for PTSD and Anxiety Disorders
      This page discusses memory reconsolidation's significance in treating PTSD and anxiety disorders, emphasizing its role in addressing overgeneralized autobiographical memories. Recent studies show that fear responses can be modified when memories are reactivated and then extinguished, with timing affecting outcomes. The application of reconsolidation theory in therapy, particularly for phobias and PTSD, allows for interventions that modify the emotional weight of memories.
    • 5.18: Case Studies- OCD and PTSD
      This page discusses two case studies on individuals with mental health issues: Mauricio, who struggles with obsessive-compulsive behaviors leading to isolation and depression, and Cho, who suffers from PTSD from a traumatic fire, affecting her academics and social interactions. Treatment for Cho includes cognitive behavioral and family therapy, with possible medication. The content encourages reflection on therapeutic strategies in violent communities.
    • 5.19: Putting It Together- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Stressor Related Disorders
      This page explores obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, including hoarding, trichotillomania, body dysmorphic disorder, excoriation disorder, and stressor-related disorders like PTSD. It underscores the significance of recognizing the distinct symptoms and treatments for each condition while also promoting reflective thinking on personal beliefs regarding mental illness and the psychological theories behind common treatments.


    This page titled 5: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Stressor Related Disorders is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lumen Learning.