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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Case Study

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Evaluate the contribution of Psychological Perspectives in the treatment of specific behaviours, states of consciousness and emotional states that are associated with OCD.

Intro
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety-related condition. OCD evokes anxiety provoking thoughts (compulsions) and repetitive behaviour (obsessions). Psychological perspectives have different theories with regards to how OCD occurs and is treated. This essay evaluates the treatments used in one particular case study. Firstly it will highlight an individual 's experience with OCD and the treatment methods used. Secondly it will look at the biological perspective, how it is used within treatment and evaluate its effectiveness. It will then go on to describe and evaluate the behavioural and cognitive perspectives, retrospectively. Finally, a conclusion will be made as to the contribution of these psychological theories within the treatment of OCD. …show more content…
In this case, Diane 's symptoms started showing at the age of eight as a fear of pavement cracks. Subsequently, Diane 's fears, rituals, compulsions and intrusive obsessive thoughts began to grow and get stronger. Notably Diane 's fears were not of one particular matter throughout her 26 years of suffering. Diane 's general practitioner (GP) prescribed antidepressants to treat the anxiety and made a referral to a consultant psychiatrist. This action dealt with the biological reasonings of OCD first, then went on to tackle the cognitive and behavioural issues. Essentially combining three psychological theories and treatments into one. Interestingly, the use of antidepressants first gave Diane the strength to pursue cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), giving the biological theory it reasoning for being the first-line of

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