HOW ANXIETY, OBSESSIONS & COMPULSIONS RELATE TO OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

     

            Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder also known as (OCD) occurs due to causes associated with genetics, brain physiology, childhood experience, and other environmental factors. Previous research has also provided evidence that supports a direct relationship between anxiety, obsessions and compulsions among those who have this disorder. This is because these factors appear to interact in the following way:

Obsessions occur when an individual repeatedly experiences uncontrollable obtrusive and unwanted thoughts or distressing images. Some examples of common obsessions may include excessive thoughts about contaminating or harming one’s self or others and forbidden or socially unacceptable sexual imagery. These thoughts can than lead to uncomfortable feelings of disgust, doubt, guilt or fear. The individual will then begin to experience an excessive level of anxiety due to not being able to control the thoughts, images and/or negative feelings from occurring. This will then lead the individual to believe that things should be done a certain way in order to prevent these thoughts, images and feelings from occurring. Eventually, the individual will feel uncontrollably driven to perform these things in a certain way and exhibit compulsive behavior/s. Some common compulsive behaviors that may also occur can include but are not limited to: repeatedly checking locks, washing hands, hoarding, silent prayer, or repeating certain words and phrases. 

When considering treatment options for OCD, some professionals use a technique that is known as "exposure and response prevention." According to (Butcher., Mineka., & Hooley. 2010), this is because “a behavioral treatment that combines exposure and response prevention seems to be the most effective approach to treating obsessive-compulsive disorders” (p. 212). This process also involves asking the client to design a hierarchy of upsetting stimuli that evokes distress, disgust or anxiety and is based on a scale from 0 to 100. However, after researching further information about this particular treatment technique, I do not believe that it should be used with clients if they are also taking an anti-anxiety medication. This is because that particular medication may reduce the overall level of distress, disgust and/or anxiety that would normally be measured when addressing the upsetting stimuli. Furthermore, the client also won’t get the opportunity to learn a new way of cognitive thinking and beneficial coping skills that can be used to address these issues properly. Therefore, since the results may be inaccurate and/or unreliable, the client will not receive treatment for OCD that may be best for his or her overall mental health needs.

Reference:

Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. M. (2010). Abnormal Psychology (14^th Ed.). Boston, MA. Allyn & Bacon, Pearson Higher Education.