OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER OCD

DSM-IV Criteria Unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions). Soon realizes that obsession or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. NOTE: Does not apply to children. Interferes with normal routine Can’t link other disorders such as depression, anorexia, dissociative identity disorder, etc. to OCD Disturbance is not due to the direct psychological effects of a substance (e.g., drug abuse, or medication) or a general medication condition

Causes/Symptoms Causes Family history Chemical Imbalances Symptoms Excessive double-checking of things Counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing other senseless things to reduce anxiety Accumulating junk Spending a lot of time cleaning and washing Organizing or arranging things “just so”

Characteristics (1 of 2) Obsession OCD obsessions are repetitive, persistent and involuntary, unwanted ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that seem insensible. These obsessions usually interfere daily thinking and activities. Obsession symptoms and signs may include: 1. Fear of contamination by shaking hands or touching door knobs 2. Doubts that you've locked the door or turned off an appliance 3. Intense stress when objects are not symmetrical or orderly 4. Images of hurting loved ones 5. Impulses to shout obscene things in inappropriate situations 6. Avoidance of situations that can trigger obsessions, such as shaking hands 7. Replaying sexual images in your mind 8. Dermatitis due to frequent hand washing 9. Skin lesions due to constant picking of the skin 10. Hair loss or bald spots caused by hair pulling

Characteristics (2 of 2) Compulsion OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that one feels they need to perform in order to reduce their anxiety. Compulsion symptoms and signs may include: 1. Hand washing until the skin becomes raw 2. Checking doors repeatedly to make sure they are locked 3. Repeatedly checking to see if appliances have been turned off 4. Counting in certain patterns 5. Arranging various objects so that they face the same way, or are symmetrical

Other Relevant Information Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors cross the fine line between normality and disorder when they become so persistent that they interfere with everyday living and cause stress.

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER PTSD

DSM-IV Criteria Haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, and/or insomnia, that lingers for weeks or more after a traumatic experience. Avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma. Avoids thoughts, feelings, conversations, activities, places, and people that associates with the trauma. Inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma. Symptoms of in creased arousal such as insomnia. Duration of disturbance is longer than one month. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Causes/Symptoms Causes any trauma, life threatening event that causes intense fear Symptoms The symptoms of PTSD can occur suddenly and they can be triggered by something that reminds you of the original traumatic event. There are three main types of symptoms: 1. Re- experiencing the traumatic event- flashbacks, nightmares, rapid breathing, sweating, and muscle tension. 2. Avoiding reminders of the trauma- feeling detached from others and emotionally numb, loss of interest in activities, and avoidances of places that remind you of the trauma. 3. Increased anxiety and emotional arousal- difficulty of falling or staying asleep, outbursts of anger, and difficulty concentrating.

Characteristics Recurrent and persistent recollections of the traumatic event. Recurrent dreams of the event. Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event is happening all over again. Intense distress related to internal or external events that remind one of the traumatic occurrence. Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the trauma. Efforts to avoid activities, places, or people that might be associated with the trauma. An inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event. Decreased interest or participation in certain activities. Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others. The inability to have certain feelings. A sense that time is short, and there is no future. Difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. Inability or angry outbursts. Difficulty concentrating. Hyper-vigilance.

Other Relevant Information Many combat veterans, accident and disaster survivors and sexual assault victims including an estimated two-thirds of prostitutes have experienced symptoms of PTSD.