Overview
Overview – Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, Part 1
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders are mental illnesses in the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders spectrum that are characterized by key features of obsessions, compulsions, or both. The obsessions involve recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance. They are perceived as intrusive, unwanted, and in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress. The compulsions are attempts to ignore or suppress the persistent thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with thoughts, feelings, ideas, and sensations that compel a person to do specific behaviors.
A diagnosis is considered when the Obsessive-Compulsive symptoms are disruptive to the individual’s daily existence and functioning. Disorders listed in this category all share the common features of excessive preoccupation with thoughts, urges, or images, along with the subsequent engagement in repetitive behaviors in an attempt to suppress the obsessions that seem impossible to stop. These disorders are quite common with over three million cases diagnosed per year in the United States. They can last several years or be lifelong. The specific cause has not been identified.
Although Obsessive-Compulsive and other Disorders share some features with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), a main difference is that those with OCD experience unwanted or obtrusive thoughts, which is not observed in OCPD. In addition, individuals with OCD are aware that their thoughts and actions are abnormal or irrational, while those with OCPD may not think they have a problem.
Symptoms may be mild and gradually progress in severity. They can involve obsessions or compulsions, or both with:
- Persistent, repeated, and unwanted thoughts
- Urges or images that are intrusive
- Compulsive or ritualistic behavior to get rid of the thoughts.
In Obsessive-Compulsive and other Disorders, Part 1, information is presented on four subcategories of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders spectrum. They are:
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic
- Hoarding Disorder
- Other Specified/Unspecified Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
On the fifth day, the Team reviews each of the four disorders, helping you to fix the information in your memory and to reaffirm the strategies for dealing with each type. Typically, the average person needs to review information three or four times to move it from short-term memory into long-term memory.
This concludes the overview for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, Part 1
