Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Lecture Notes

Study Notes

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Overview

Patterns of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors interrupt daily functioning and cause significant distress.
Common obsessive actions include compulsive counting, organization, and checking behaviors.

Body-Focused Repetitive Disorders

Characterized by body-focused repetitive behaviors, often a self-soothing response to stress rather than driven by obsession.
Patients recognize the negative impact on social life yet struggle to cease the behavior.

Specific Disorders

Dermatillomania: Also known as excoriation disorder; involves recurrent skin-picking leading to lesions and potential health issues.
Trichotillomania: Involves pulling out one’s hair, which can be automatic or more conscious, often triggered by anxiety.
Trichophagia: The urge to eat hair.
Dermatophagia: The urge to eat one’s skin, including biting lips or cheeks.
Onychotillomania: Nail picking.
Onychophagia: Chronic nail-biting.
Oniomania: Compulsive buying that exceeds financial means, often resulting in unused purchases; predominantly affects females.
Kleptomania: Compulsive stealing for the thrill, not for the item's value, more common in females.

Treatment Options

Long-term behavior therapy recommended for managing various compulsive behaviors.
Medications like SSRIs and cognitive-behavioral therapy are effective, particularly for hoarding and OCD.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Preoccupation with perceived physical defects that others may not notice.
Leads to excessive grooming, mirror checking, and can cause social isolation, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Hoarding Disorder

Difficulty in discarding possessions, leading to clutter that disrupts the use of living areas.

Definitions of Obsessions and Compulsions

Obsessions: Intrusive and unwanted thoughts causing distress, interfering with daily functions.
Compulsions: Ritualistic actions aimed at reducing anxiety associated with obsessions.

Manifestations of OCD

Behaviors often include checking, counting, washing, praying, touching, and ordering.
Typically presents in childhood for males and in the 20s for females, often with a family history of OCD.

Etiology of OCD

Cognitive model posits that individuals may believe their thoughts are overly significant, necessitating control over them.
Common themes include perfectionism, a heightened sense of personal responsibility, and an inflated perception of threat due to thoughts.

Description

Explore lecture notes by Prof. Cherry Ann Durante on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders. Learn about body-focused repetitive disorders and behaviors associated with OCD. Understand common symptoms like counting steps, organizing by color, and repetitive checking behaviors.