OCD
An Explanation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Definition
The Mayo Clinic defines Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Many times people with OCD do not understand their compulsions but perform them anyway.
Prevalence
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects:
- 1 in 100, or about 2 to 3 million adults in the United States.
- 1 in 200 children. This is about the same amount of children diagnosed with diabetes.
- http://www.ocfoundation.org/prevalence.aspx
Evaluation of the Disorder
According to Obsessive compulsive disorder by DJ Stein, "The most common obsessions centre around concerns of contamination, harm, hoarding, and sexual, somatic and religious preoccupations, while the most common compulsions include washing, checking, repeating, ordering, counting, and hoarding." Evaluation should include attention to and assessment of "symptom patterns, severity, functional impairment,…pregnancy, and other medical conditions" (Stein, DJ).
Teaching Children with OCD
Children with OCD do not seem to understand their obsessions. Their thoughts can preoccupy their minds with whether something could be dangerous or dirty. Children can also have anxiety if things are not "in order."
Obsessions
- fear of dirt or germs
- a need for order
- religious fixation
- body wastes
- lucky and unlucky numbers
- sexual or aggressive thoughts
- fear of illness or harm coming to oneself or relatives
- household items
- intrusive sounds or words
Developed from kidshealth.org
Compulsions
- grooming-hand washing, showering, and teeth brushing
- repeating rituals-rereading, erasing, and rewriting
- checking rituals-repeatedly checking homework
- rituals to undo contact with a "contaminated" person or object
- touching rituals
- rituals to prevent harming self or others
- ordering or arranging objects
- counting rituals
- hoarding and collecting things of no apparent value
- cleaning rituals related to the house or other items
Developed from kidshealth.org
Helping Children
It is important for children to understand that their behavior is not their fault. Teachers should be supportive and even modify lessons to help the child.
Medical or Other Issues
OCD has been associated with depression, Tourette Syndrome, bipolar disorder, hyperactivity, and other personality disorder. Again, OCD is an anxiety disorder so anxiety attacks may be triggered which can lead to harmful actions.
Sources
- "How Many People Have OCD?" International OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Foundation. International OCD Foundation, 2012. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
- "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Kids Health." Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Ed. Elana P. Ben-Joseph, MD. Nemours, 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
- Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 Dec. 2010. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
- Stein, D.J. "Obsessive compulsive disorder." South African Journal of Psychiatry 19.3 (2013): 180+. Health Reference Center Academic. Web. 7 Dec. 2013.