Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety-related disorder that impacts approximately 1 in 200 children. When an individual is anxious about something and has intrusive thoughts related to this anxiety, these “repetitive, persistent, intrusive impulses, images, or thoughts about something” can be considered obsessions. To avoid any negative outcomes of the anxiety, some individuals preform “repetitive, stereotyped acts” that they fell will prevent something from happening (Kauffman & Landrum, 2013). These actions are compulsions. For obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors to be considered OCD, “the obsessive or compulsive symptoms must be of a level which causes distress to the patient, or affects his or her everyday functioning”
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It may behoove teachers to look for students (both male and female) with a fear of filth or germs because “the most common symptoms [of OCD], as seen in approximately 40 percent of all cases, are compulsive thoughts in connection with fear of dirt and infection” (Thomsen, 1998). These obsessive thoughts about uncleanliness often manifest in the form of washing compulsions such as excessive hand washing, long showers, or taking multiple showers a day. Teachers should also note that OCD can also impact a student’s school attendance and performance; if an excessive amount of time is focused on obsessions and compulsions, a student may be unable to get to school or have time to complete school work (Thomsen, …show more content…
This boy “only left his home when it was absolutely necessary . . . in order to avoid bringing germs into the house, he changed his clothes at the front door whenever he left the house, as well as each time he returned home.” In addition, he would shower for 30 minutes each morning and evening and if the shower was interrupted, he would not allow himself to sleep in his bed, but sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor instead. This boy in this example exemplifies some of the compulsive behaviors associated with germ/dirt anxiety. It should be noted, however, that there are may other ways the OCD can manifest and this germ/dirt related obsession is but one
It may behoove teachers to look for students (both male and female) with a fear of filth or germs because “the most common symptoms [of OCD], as seen in approximately 40 percent of all cases, are compulsive thoughts in connection with fear of dirt and infection” (Thomsen, 1998). These obsessive thoughts about uncleanliness often manifest in the form of washing compulsions such as excessive hand washing, long showers, or taking multiple showers a day. Teachers should also note that OCD can also impact a student’s school attendance and performance; if an excessive amount of time is focused on obsessions and compulsions, a student may be unable to get to school or have time to complete school work (Thomsen, …show more content…
This boy “only left his home when it was absolutely necessary . . . in order to avoid bringing germs into the house, he changed his clothes at the front door whenever he left the house, as well as each time he returned home.” In addition, he would shower for 30 minutes each morning and evening and if the shower was interrupted, he would not allow himself to sleep in his bed, but sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor instead. This boy in this example exemplifies some of the compulsive behaviors associated with germ/dirt anxiety. It should be noted, however, that there are may other ways the OCD can manifest and this germ/dirt related obsession is but one