Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and its relation with children and adults. The research also analyzes many aspects of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and tries to gauge its effect on children and adults.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Outline4

Introduction8

Description and Analysis10

The prevalence and relevance of the effects11

Child11

Adolescence12

Adults13

Role of the Family in OCD14

Symptom Dimensions16

Psychological Components of OCD16

Medical Components of OCD18

Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders19

Assessment of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms21

Treatment of OCD22

Parent-child interaction therapy24

Systematic family involvement in treatment27

Omission of cognitive therapy strategies28

How Social Workers Can Help28

Long term effect29

OCD Micro, Mezzo, Macro theory approaches29

Conclusion30

References32

Outline

Introduction

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that affects 2 to 3 percent of the U.S. population. OCD is characterized by consuming thoughts and beliefs that typically lead to the uncontrollable performance of behaviors.

Description and Analysis

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is conceptualized as an anxiety disorder that involves the experience of recurrent obsessions and/or compulsive behaviors that are intended to neutralize the obsession.

The prevalence and relevance of the effects

This part represents the effects of OCD in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

Role of the Family in OCD

It has been suggested that the manner in which a family interacts, particularly those with high levels of hostility and low levels of emotional support/warmth, is detrimental to the lasting treatment effects after successful outcome.

Symptom Dimensions

It has been demonstrated that children diagnosed with OCD present heterogeneously. In investigating this, authors have examined concomitant psychopathology, temperamental, and biological differences.

Psychological Components of OCD

The learning/behavioral perspective of OCD is not without its shortcomings, as, unlike with phobias and other forms of anxiety, it has been largely unable to explain the origins of a patient's obsessions using purely behavioral concepts, asserting that obsessions and compulsions are manifestations of abnormal levels of anxiety and escape/avoidance responses.

Medical Components of OCD

There is a wealth of research on the neurological, genetic, and autoimmune correlates of childhood and adolescent OCD.

Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders

Children diagnosed with OCD frequently have concomitant diagnoses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity, Conduct, Oppositional-Defiant, mood, anxiety, and tic disorders.

Assessment of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms

Given the sheer amount of overlap of pathology with other diagnoses reported above, structured assessment, including psychosocial and medical histories, as well as data from diagnostic interviews, clinician rating scales, and parent/child report inventories, are recommended for clinicians and researchers interested in differential diagnoses or those using diagnosis to help inform treatment.

Treatment of OCD

The numerous treatment studies in current behavioral/cognitive literature differ primarily on the degree to which they utilize behavioral or cognitive techniques and amount or nature of family involvement.

Parent-child interaction therapy

Parent-child interaction therapy is an evidence-based, data-driven behavioral treatment originally designed for children age's two to seven who are displaying disruptive or aggressive behavior, though the treatment has been used effectively with children up to 12 years of age.

Systematic family involvement in treatment

It has been recognized that family involvement is essential to the treatment of children with diagnosed with OCD and studies have supported the need to systematically include ...