Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Josephine Beker Thomas Jefferson University Description of condition Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogenous, chronic condition which can be further divided into subgroups dependent on the symptoms presented (Bjorgvinsson, Hart & Heffelfinger, 2007). It is characterized by obsessive thoughts or images, which cause stress or anxiety for the patients, as well as compulsive behaviors, which are often repetitive in nature and used to reduce the feelings of distress (McGuire, Lewin, Horng, Murphy & Storch, 2012). Signs/Symptoms - the manifestations…
It causes people to do things they would never normally do if they did not have that disorder. It is a much larger problem then society makes it out to be and although it is not as common as other mental disorders like depression and anxiety, it is just as painful and just as serious. We as society should be more understanding towards people with OCD and scrupulosity. Which is another thing I have learned. I was not aware that there were different types of OCD.…
One well-known example to describe OCD is the obsession of feeling dirty and always believing that one’s self is contaminated, and the compulsion would be to wash one’s hands constantly to get rid of the obsession. After a compulsion is performed, relief will be felt; though, relief will never last. The next section will cover how Holden fits these…
The main character, Melvin, in the movie “As good as it gets” suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder. Melvin’s obsessive-compulsive behaviors consist of avoiding cracks on the sidewalk or on the floors, locking his door a specific amount of times, washing his hands with a brand new bar of soap every time with steaming hot water, worry of germs, and eating at the same restaurant with the same waitress at the same table. The DSM-5 (2013) states “the obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Although Melvin’s symptoms may have prolonged certain activities, or caused irritability when he was unable to fulfill his compulsion, it could be argued that Melvin’s personality and behaviors that are differential from the OCD inhibit his functioning more than the presenting diagnosis.…
About 4 million Americans have some form of anxiety disorder, much like some of the characters in As Good As It Gets. In this essay I will go over each of the main characters mental disorders and how they are noticed throughout the movie. Melvin had OCD throughout the entire movie. His doctor diagnosed him with OCD at one point in the movie.…
Silver Linings Playbook is a film about a developing love story between the two main characters Tiffany and Pat. They develop a relationship through their shared struggles of mental illness and help each other deal with their symptoms indirectly. The theme of mental illness and the way that it gets in the way of normative functioning is a reoccurring theme within the film. Pat’s father deals with his own struggles of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which hinders his ability of normative function in certain scenarios. Diagnostic literature identifies OCD as the presence of a variety of different symptoms and issues that interrupt normative action and thoughts.…
Prior to the release of the DSM-5 in 2013, Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, was classified as an impulse control disorder in DSM-IV-TR. This disorder involves the perennial pulling of one's hair from various parts of their body.. These behaviors are often done in privacy, are more common in adult females and often become prevalent on the onset of puberty. Many people with trichotillomania try to stop the picking but feel like they just can’t. The sense of being unable to avoid performing a particular behavior is very similar to the compulsions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).…
Stigma, coming from the Latin stem stigmat- means to mark or brand, especially a slave (Definition of STIGMA, 2016). Although stigma in modern society may not be as clear as a physical marker, it is still as prevalent and degrading. Even in progressive modern society, stigma persists surrounding mental illness, especially Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, more commonly known as OCD. The question, then, becomes why does this stigma persist? The answer however is neither simple nor succinct as the stigma has taken multiple complex facets as it has become ingrained in modern culture.…
Constantly cleaning everything in sight, and scrubbing your body clean till you start to bleed is a sign of a physiological disorder that can and should be diagnosed before it’s too late. People handle messes and disorganization in different ways, some could care less, and on the other hand, some get completely disoriented and have to clean everything in sight. Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is more than just cleaning; it has to do with your brain constantly performing acts unintentionally (Rathus, 2010). Obsessive-compulsive disorder can affect people’s attitudes in negative ways, like in the 1981 film Mommie Dearest, directed by Frank Perry, which accurately portrays how OCD can ruin a family and career. Mommie Dearest for the majority…
Term Paper Proposal: Clinical Case Assessment Research Paper Introduction The character, Melvin Udall, from the film As Good As It Gets (1997), played by Jack Nicholson, will serve as the client for this case study. Previously, Melvin, a successful author, received a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder by his psychiatrist, Dr. Green.…
Some symptoms include fear of contamination, need for symmetry and order, feeling you can keep others safe by performing certain rituals, doubts that you locked the door or turned off the stove, and worrying about throwing out things with little or no value. These feelings can lead to certain behaviors such as excessive hand washing, constant rearranging this to get it right, checking the same things over and over again, and hoarding. OCD can also lead to other anxiety disorders and even major depression. If you have a close relationship with someone who has OCD, be patient. Those with OCD also tend to have trouble with maintaining healthy relationships and careers.…
caught my attention because it uses repetition to emphasize the narrator’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Through this poem, Neil uses spoken word to explain to others how his OCD and Tourettes affect his day to day life but focuses more on his relationship with the girl that changes everything for him. Neil Hilborn is a moving speaker, and I highly recommend watching his performance of “OCD” on button poetry. Hilborn uses his own case of OCD to his advantage in his writing, especially with this poem because most of the tics he uses within OCD are in fact actual tics caused by his Tourettes.…
Melvin Udall is a middle aged man, in his forties or fifties who is part of a higher socioeconomic class, due to his successful career as a stay at home writer. He lives in an upscale New York apartment and during his free time enjoys playing the piano. Melvin expresses prejudicial attitudes, including anti-Semitism, racism, and heterosexism. He made several of these comments, claiming “assault and battery and your black,” to his neighbor’s black friend, “there’s Jews at my table,” along with another stereotypical comment about their “big noses,” and he even introduced his neighbor as “Simon the fag,” a homophobic slur. He gives little background information, except for saying that his dad used to hit him as a kid if he ever made a mistake while playing the piano, which may explain his behavior.…
There are also some negative attributes that come along with having OCD. It is all about learning how to cope with the negative side of OCD and turning it into something positive. Some negative effects would have to be getting anxiety from constantly checking on things, needing to repeatedly wash hands, and then begin to suffer from other psychological disorders (Goodman, 2016). OCD can lead to other disorders like “social isolation, low social functioning and comorbid illnesses such as anxiety/panic disorders and depression” (Thomsen, 1998, p. 11). There are many disorders that OCD can lead to if left untreated.…
Psychologically, he has intrusive thought that without his rituals, his family would be in danger, (Toates, 2010, p1). Stress at work and family misunderstanding are his triggers. (Toates, 2010, p2). Improvement of social factors is a basis for a successful treatment, (The Open University, 2016). Biologically, Researches found increased activity in regions of the brain of OCD people.…