Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Angela Deibler
Mr. Milnes
Honors Psychology
25 December 2016
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder– Psychology Research Paper Obsessive compulsive disorder is a chronic and common psychological disorder in which the sufferer experiences repetitive unwanted thoughts and subsequently feels the need to perform certain actions in response to these thoughts. The victim suffers from urges to repeat these thoughts and behaviors routinely. The recurring thoughts are referred to as obsessions, while the resulting behaviors are referred to as compulsions. These compulsions are usually irrational acts (Milnes). Examples of obsessions include the fear of contamination or germs and feeling the need for all things to be in perfect order. Examples of compulsions …show more content…
One method of therapy is behavior therapy, in which it is believed that OCD is the result of responses and actions that have been learned or discovered in an unusual way. Behavior therapy is based on the idea that an object that was once neutral to a victim had become associated with something that causes fear. Therefore, even if a neutral object and the fear-causing situation are completely unrelated, if the object and situation are present or occur at the same time, this occurrence will create the belief that the two objects or the object and situation are connected. As the person who believes these two objects or objects and situations are related, they attempt to reduce the anxiety produced by the object, and compulsions begin to form (Wayne K. Goodman). Through behavior therapy, the person suffering with OCD is exposed to the anxiety-inducing object and then is prevented from the urge to perform the compulsion. This cycle of actions repeats until the obsessions no longer cause fear. Medication and cognitive behavioral therapy are considered the most effective ways so start treatment of OCD (Mental Health Regimen).
In relation to psychology, the psychoanalytic theory has offered that obsessions and compulsions are the result of inappropriate adjustments or inappropriate responses to conflicts that occurred during one’s childhood. According to the psychoanalytic theory, the symptoms of OCD are representative of the victim’s unconscious struggle to control certain drives that they know are unacceptable. The symptoms a person experiences may serve as indicators of that person’s major priorities or fears (Wayne K.
Mr. Milnes
Honors Psychology
25 December 2016
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder– Psychology Research Paper Obsessive compulsive disorder is a chronic and common psychological disorder in which the sufferer experiences repetitive unwanted thoughts and subsequently feels the need to perform certain actions in response to these thoughts. The victim suffers from urges to repeat these thoughts and behaviors routinely. The recurring thoughts are referred to as obsessions, while the resulting behaviors are referred to as compulsions. These compulsions are usually irrational acts (Milnes). Examples of obsessions include the fear of contamination or germs and feeling the need for all things to be in perfect order. Examples of compulsions …show more content…
One method of therapy is behavior therapy, in which it is believed that OCD is the result of responses and actions that have been learned or discovered in an unusual way. Behavior therapy is based on the idea that an object that was once neutral to a victim had become associated with something that causes fear. Therefore, even if a neutral object and the fear-causing situation are completely unrelated, if the object and situation are present or occur at the same time, this occurrence will create the belief that the two objects or the object and situation are connected. As the person who believes these two objects or objects and situations are related, they attempt to reduce the anxiety produced by the object, and compulsions begin to form (Wayne K. Goodman). Through behavior therapy, the person suffering with OCD is exposed to the anxiety-inducing object and then is prevented from the urge to perform the compulsion. This cycle of actions repeats until the obsessions no longer cause fear. Medication and cognitive behavioral therapy are considered the most effective ways so start treatment of OCD (Mental Health Regimen).
In relation to psychology, the psychoanalytic theory has offered that obsessions and compulsions are the result of inappropriate adjustments or inappropriate responses to conflicts that occurred during one’s childhood. According to the psychoanalytic theory, the symptoms of OCD are representative of the victim’s unconscious struggle to control certain drives that they know are unacceptable. The symptoms a person experiences may serve as indicators of that person’s major priorities or fears (Wayne K.