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 (14th
Ed.). Boston, MA. Allyn & Bacon, Pearson Higher Education.