General
Can people with OCD control their compulsions?
No, they can't.
Even if they understand that their compulsion are irrational it is extremely hard for someone with OCD to stop performing their compulsions without getting professional help.
Do scientists know the causes of OCD?
No, they don't.
While they have many theories with considerable evidence, nothing has been confirmed yet.
What is an obsession?
Obsessions are unwanted thoughts that repeat in someone’s mind over and over again.
Talk therapy and medication are the two primary treatments for OCD.
What is a common compulsion associated with a fear of germs?
One common compulsion associated with a fear of germs is constant washing/bathing.
If you think one of your friends at school might be struggling with OCD who should you tell to try and get them help?
You should tell a trusted teacher or guidance counselor. They will try to connect your friend to the help they need.
What is the hormonethat scientists have notced people with OCD have a deficit of?
Seritonin is the hormone that scientists have notcied that people with OCD have less of than the average person.
At this time, they aren't sure whether this lack of seritonin is a caused or effect of OCD.
What is a compulsion?
An uncontrollable behavior that develops as a way to try and ease the extreme anxiety that comes from an obsession.
How effective are treatments for OCD?
Treatments for OCD are effective for 60-80% of people.
If someone is constantly scared of danger, what is one compulsion they might perform?
They might constantly check things.
The example given in the powerpoint was of someone constantly checking a stove.
When can people develop OCD?
OCD can be developed at any point throughout someone's life, but it typically goes diagnosed in children.
Do genetics play a role in the cause of OCD?
Yes, genetics play a role in the cause of OCD.
However, at this time doctors have been unable to find a specfic gene responsible for this disorder.
How can OCD prevent people from do the things that they enjoy?
People with OCD can get stuck thinking about their fears or performing their compulsions instead of focusing on they things they need/want to do.
Which specific form of talk therapy is used to treat OCD?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the specfic form of talk therapy that is used most frequently when trying to treat OCD. Within the realm of CBT, therapists tend to use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). CBT focuses on changing a person's behavior in order to rewire their thought processes.
What is a common compulsion associated with the fear of loss?
Hoarding is a common compulsion associated with the fear of loss.
What percentage of Americans have OCD?
2-3% of people in America have OCD.
Why do traumatic environmental/stressful factors increase risk of OCD?
People are trying to gain control over their situation.
Someone with anxiety might not be able ton control whatever is going on that leaves them feeling anxious so they begin to obsess over alternative things that they can control for themselves.
Why is OCD dangerous?
OCD is dangerous because it can cause depression and leads to suicidal thoughts in many people.
What can medication do to treat OCD?
Medication manages and reduces the frequency and intensity of compulsions.
People with general extreme anxiety usually display which compulsion?
People with general extreme anxiety usually display ordering/organization compulsions.
Why might doctors have a hard time diagnosing OCD?
(2 acceptable answers)
Doctors might have trouble diagnosing OCD because it has similar symptoms to other mental illnesses.
Doctors might have trouble diagnosing OCD because the people with OCD tend to have other mental illness and sometime doctors don't realize people have OCD because they are so focus on treating the first mental illness.
How do strep infections contribute to causing OCD?
The antibiotics used to treat strep throat seem to have an impact on the part of the brain in which OCD is caused.
People might see the emergence of OCD while using these antibiotics or if they already have OCD they might see their symptoms worsen.
Are suicidal thoughts associated with OCD more common in men or women?
Women with OCD are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts.
While 54% of people with OCD will experience suicidal thoughts, 70% of women will experience suicidal thoughts.
How does exposure and response prevention (ERP) help people with OCD to fight their disorder.
Therapists usually use ERP to help people with OCD to learn how to resist their compulsion in a safe and controlled environment.
Why might some people perform volentary rituals?
Some people might perform voluntary rituals in order to try and ease some of the extreme anxiety they are feeling.