Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
Depending on the type of obsessions and compulsions, these disorders are:
Obsessive Compulsive and related disorders are disorders that consist of obsessions (repetitive intrusive thoughts) and compulsions, which are behaviors/rituals aimed at neutralizing the thoughts, thus decreasing the anxiety.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Or OCD is characterized by obsessive, repetitive anxiety provoking thought patterns and compulsive behaviors to wash, set order, or check. Compulsions usually function as anxiety relieving behaviors, however, only in the short-term. In the long-term, the compulsions actually aggravate the obsessions. OCD has many subtypes but the most common ones are:
OCD – germ phobia / hand washing type
OCD – symmetry type
OCD – the Checking type
HOCD – Obsessive thoughts related to homosexuality
The treatment of OCD differs based on the type, onset, and the severity of the problem. Psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy) alone or in combination with medication is the treatment of choice. You can find therapists specializing in OCD at Clinic Dr.Bita. A phone call can bring you closer to taking control of your OCD.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Or BDD, as implied by the name, is about the obsessions that concern the shape and form of parts of the body. More specifically, it is a body-image disorder characterized by persistent and intrusive fixations with an imagined or slight defect in one’s appearance.
People with BDD can dislike any part of their body; however, the most common preoccupations involve hair, skin, nose, chest, or stomach. Although a perceived defect may be only a slight imperfection or even nonexistent, for someone with BDD, it is perceived as prominent, causing severe anxiety, emotional distress leading to the impairment of daily functioning.
Someone suffering from BDD is most likely to be spending significant amount of their time:
- Camouflaging (makeup, hairdo, hats, etc.)
- Checking in a mirror
- Avoiding mirrors
- Skin picking
- Excessive grooming
- Excessive exercise
- Changing clothes excessively
- Seeking cosmetic surgeries
According to studies, BDD’s onset can be traced back to the teenage and it is not gender specific, meaning men and women can be equally affected. Psychotherapy is the treatment of choice.
Hoarding Disorder
Hoarding disorder is characterized by a strong urge to collect/ shop items that are not even needed and significant difficulty to purge, give away, or throw away unneeded items. They usually attribute certain meanings and significance to objects, where the perceived importance of the hoarded items far exceeds their true value so that makes it very difficult for them to purge.
A person with hoarding disorder also called a hoarder may feel severe emotional distress to throw away unneeded items because of a feeling of attachment to these objects. In severe cases, the hoarder’s safety becomes the primary concern for 2 general reasons:
1. Fire hazard: blocked exits and stacked papers, piled boxes
2. Health hazard: cockroaches/mice infestation, waste from excessive pets, hoarded food and garbage or the risk of stacks of items collapsing on the inhabitants).
Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
Trichotillomania (trik-oh-till-oh-MAY-nee-uh) is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that is characterized by strong urges to pull out one’s own hair. Trichotillomania can start in children as young as 1 year old.
Trichotillomania involves the compulsive hair pulling from places like the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or pubic area. The hair pulling can take different form:
- Pulling large handfuls of hair, which can leave bald patches on the scalp or eyebrows.
- Pulling out one strand of hair at a time.
- Inspecting the strand after pulling it out
- Playing with the hair after it’s been pulled
- Putting the hair in the mouths after pulling it.
Some may be very aware of their pulling; while others may not notice what they’re doing.
Trichotillomania isn’t just a habit that a person can easily stop. It is important to understand the underlying issues, the accompanied anxiety and embarrassment and seek help.
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder involves formation of neurotic excoriations through repetitive scratching. Neurotic excoriations can be initiated and triggered by some minor skin pathology (insect bite or acne), but it can also be independent of any skin pathology.
No matter the sub-type, therapy can be highly effective for individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders by helping them understand and manage their intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. It provides strategies to reduce the frequency and intensity of these behaviors, fostering greater control and reducing distress. Additionally, therapy can address underlying anxiety and improve overall functioning and quality of life. Call us now if you or a loved one is suffering from this deliberating disorder. Help is available!