OCD
Is OCD a chronic or eradicable disorder?
Chronic, symptoms of OCD can only be curbed, not cured.
True or false:
Most people afflicted with phobias can recognize that their fear(s) are irrational
True
True or false: If a family member has been afflicted with a panic disorder, other individuals in the family are more at risk to develop the disorder as well.
True
There are two general types of phobias, simple and complex. What kind of phobia is Agoraphobia and why?
Complex, individuals often can not avoid their phobia.
Fill in the blank:
Unlike some other anxiety based disorders, it is not as rare to see GAD in ___________
Children
Give two examples of something a person with OCD may obsess over
Examples:
Cleanliness
Hoarding
Orderliness
ect...
What are the two most common treatments of phobias
Behavioral therapy and medication
Name two things an individual may be more prone to when afflicted with a panic disorder.
Examples:
Alcohol/substance abuse
Suicide attempts
Financial dependency
Other anxiety disorders
Fill in the blank:
Although not impossible, it is rare that ____________ will develop this disorder
children
Provide three physical/ behavioral symptoms of GAD
Examples:
concentration problems, irritability, sleep disturbances, impatience, restlessness, muscle tension, trembling, dry mouth, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness and nausea.
Explain three effects OCD may have on an individual's life overall.
Individuals may lose many hours of their day where they could be productive due to their obsessions
Individuals may miss out on family/ social activities due to their “rituals” and their urge to follow through with them daily
May result in depression and low self- esteem due to feelings of being out of control and powerless
Individuals may end up isolated from others, especially when their OCD is based around the obsession to remain clean and germ free
ect...
Fill in the blanks:
Both reinforcement and punishment can be ___________ or _____________, In the case of phobias it is a ______________ response.
Positive
Negative
Negative
Provide three examples of the effect panic disorder had on individuals
Possible examples:
Panic attacks can disrupt daily activities
Emotional and physical exhaustion due to constant emotional and physical distress
Disrupted sleep due to panic attacks and anxiety
Living in constant never - ending fear about when the next panic attack will come
Straying from things that would “trigger” an individual
Fill in the blank:
The imbalance of the chemicals serotonin, GABA, dopamine, and norepinephrine can abnormally trigger an individuals "___________________" responce causing persestent and repeated anxiety symptoms.
"flight or fight"
What sepperates GAD from regular worrying is that it is EPDP, what does that stand for?
excessive, pervasive, disruptive, and persistent
As clearly and detailed as possible describe the psychological explanation of OCD
People with OCD have uncontrollable urges to fulfill whatever their obsession is to appease their anxiety, every time they complete their “task” they are washed over with relief. This reinforcing stimulus almost makes it impossible to ignore obsessions due to the relieving feeling an individual experiences when completing a compulsion.
What part of the brain have researchers found phobias linked to?
The Amygdala
These four chemicals act as neurotransmitters and are thought to influence one's mood and anxiety level. What are they?
Serotonin, GABA, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
In general, describe the overarching fear of Agoraphobics
Individuals become so concerned they will experience anxiety in a situation where they will not be able to "eject" themselves that they eliminate that possibility by confining themselves to a few spaces they deem "safe".
Fill in the blanks:
________________________ and ________________________ have both been accociated with the later development of GAD.
Childhood adversities
Parental overprotection
To the best of your ability, please clearly describe the biological explanation of OCD
There is a circuit in the brain which regulates primitive aspects of a humans behavior, when activated the impulses are brought to the human's attention and perform a responding behavior. Through neuroimaging studies it has been suggested people with OCD have difficulty turning off or ignoring these impulses and produces uncontrollable obsessions and compulsions in response.
What are the two types of phobias? Describe them.
Simple and complex. Simple phobias are easily identifiable to one specific cause and does not usually frequently occur in the individuals life. Complex phobias have triggers that are more difficult to recognize and individuals find it harder to avoid their triggers.
Fill in the Blanks:
Those who are ______ prone to anxiety, and more likely to beleive anxiety is ______________ are more likely to experience panic attacks.
More
Harmful
Provide 5 examples of the effect Agoraphobia has on the lives of individuals.
Possible examples
Avoiding people, places, and things that will trigger panic attacks
In extreme cases Agoraphobics will become confined to only a few spaces they have deemed “safe” for them
Disconnection from loved ones and a social life
Affected individuals may be financially dependent on others
Affected individuals may not be able to work or attend school regularly
Depression due to lack of socialization for frustration with condition
Aside from medication and therapy, what are the other three actions an individual can take to improve their condition?
Regular exersise, sleep, and a healthy diet