1. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
& Tourette’s Disorder

2. I. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: an anxiety
disorder characterized by obsessions and / or
compulsions.
A. Obsessions: repetitive, unwelcome streams of thought.
B. Compulsions: repetitive, almost irresistible actions.

3. C. Types of obsessive thoughts and related compulsive
behaviors…
1) Contamination fears
2) Harming self or others
3) Lack of symmetry
4) Pathological doubt
5) Sexual obsessions
6) Obsessions about superstitious or religious beliefs
7) Compulsive Hoarding: the excessive acquisition of
possessions (and failure to use or discard them), even if the
items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary.

4. D. Comorbidity…
E. Demographics…
F. Genetic Causes…

5. G. Brain Scans…

6. 1) Thought Stopping Therapy (Cognitive Therapy): the
H. Treatment…
1) Thought Stopping Therapy (Cognitive Therapy): the
individual is instructed to yell “STOP” every time they begin
having repetitive thoughts.
2) Exposure Therapy (Behavioral Therapy): the patient is
exposed to the situation that brings on the compulsive
behavior, but is prevented from engaging in it.
Flooding: a sudden and large-scale exposure to the source of fear
under controlled conditions.
Systematic Desensitization: reduces fear by gradually exposing
people to the source under controlled conditions.
3) Drug Therapy

7. II. Tourette’s Disorder: a neurological condition
producing a chronic combination of motor tics
and vocal tics.
A. Tic: a rapid, recurring involuntary movement or vocalization.
B. Some Common Motor Tics…
1) Eye blinking
2) Clearing the throat
3) Head twitching or shaking
4) Flailing one’s arms about
5) Copropraxia: involuntarily performing obscene or
forbidden gestures.
6) Echopraxia: the involuntary repetition or imitation of the
observed movements of another.

8. C. Some Common Vocal Tics…
1) Coprolalia: involuntary swearing or the involuntary
utterance of obscene words or socially inappropriate and
derogatory remarks.
2) Echolalia: the automatic repetition of vocalizations made
by another person.
3) Palilalia: the repetition or echoing of one's own spoken
words.
4) Screaming/Yelling
5) Grunting
6) Random bizarre noises

9. D. Description of tics from the perspective of those with the
condition…
E. Comorbidity…
F. Demographics…
G. Genetic Causes…
H. Treatment…
1) Psychotherapy
2) Drug Therapy