Other Disorders
Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People with OCD are overwhelmed by disturbing thoughts that are intrusive, seem uncontrollable, and cause intense anxiety. These are called obsessions. To reduce the discomfort generated by the obsessions, an individual might do certain things repeatedly in a ritualistic manner (e.g., check to see if the stove is turned off, handwashing, asking for reassurance, etc.). These are called compulsions, and may relieve the discomfort, but only temporarily. This pattern eventually develops into a vicious cycle of obsessions and a complicated web of compulsions. About 1 in 50 Americans, as many as 5 million, have OCD at some point in their lives. OCD can happen to anyone, and usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood, but also commonly occurs in children.
Associated Features
- Causes the person to become very upset
- Takes up more than 1 hour per day
- Reduces the ability to engage in daily life activities
Obsessions
- Contamination fears of germs, dirt, etc.
- Doubts about safety, having harmed self or others
- Need for symmetry, exactness, order, having things “just right”
- Fear of making mistakes, acting socially inappropriate
- Intrusive sexual thoughts or urges
- Excessive religious/moral doubts, having forbidden thoughts
- Need to tell, ask, confess
Compulsions
- Washing
- Checking
- Repeating
- Touching
- Counting
- Ordering/Arranging
- Hoarding/Collecting/Saving
- Praying
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
The primary distinguishing feature of BDD is an obsessive preoccupation with a perceived defect in one’s physical appearance. BDD obsessions may manifest as excessive, disproportionate concerns about a non-existent or minor flaw, or as recurrent, anxiety-provoking thoughts about an entirely imagined defect with a particular body part that the person considers unattractive. The individual persistently seeks medical attention to fix the minimal cosmetic defect (e.g., nose, cleft chin, blemish, breast size). Many remain persistently dissatisfied despite having performed cosmetic surgery on the particular body part. Consequently, individuals with BDD tend to end up having repeated surgeries on the same body part to correct the perceived defect. About 2% of the general population has BDD, and it tends to occur in adolescence and early adulthood.
Associated Features
Obsessions
- Moles and freckles being too large or noticeable
- Acne
- Minor scars or skin aberrations
- Too much facial or body hair
- Too little hair on head
- Size and/or shape of genitalia
- Breast size
- Muscles being too small
- Overall size/shape/symmetry of the face or another body part
Compulsions
- Repetitive checking of a minor or imagined flaw in mirrors
- Avoidance of mirrors
- Avoidance of having pictures taken
- Repetitive grooming activities (e.g., shaving, combing hair, etc.)
- Repetitive checking/touching/measuring of a minor or imagined defect
- Wearing excessive make-up to camouflage a minor or imagined flaw
- Wearing certain clothes to camouflage a minor or imagined defect
- Multiple medical visits, especially to dermatologists
- Multiple medical/cosmetic procedures in an effort to eradicate a minor or imagined flaw
Panic Disorder
A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that comes without warning and without any obvious reason. It is far more intense than having anxiety or the feeling of being “stressed out” that most people experience. Panic attacks reach full intensity within a few minutes, and diminish slowly 30 minutes to several hours later. Commonly, the individual may end up in an emergency medical facility following the first attack with complaints of chest pain, and may be even misdiagnosed as having heart attacks. The first attack often triggers subsequent attacks as severe as the initial attack. One out of every 75 people will experience a panic attack at some time in their lives.
Associated Features
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Trembling/Shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Choking
- Chest pain
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Derealization or Depersonalization
- Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
- Fear of dying
- Tingling in fingers or toes (”pins & needles”)
- Sudden chills or hot flashes
Social – Performance – Sports Anxiety
People with social anxiety disorder often get very nervous in public and around other people. They feel as if everyone is watching and judging them. An individual with social anxiety disorder is afraid of making mistakes, appearing foolish, and feeling embarrassed. Consequently, certain people, places, or social events are avoided. Social anxiety disorder affects over 16 million Americans, can happen to anyone, and often starts in mid-adolescence.
Associated Features
- A marked and persistent fear of social or performance situations
- Excessive or unreasonable fear of unfamiliar people or possible scrutiny by others
- Fear of acting in ways that will be humiliating or embarrassing
- Exposure to the feared social situation almost invariably provokes anxiety
- Anxiety may be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, or shrinking from social situations with unfamiliar people
- Avoidance of feared social or performance situations or else are endured with intense anxiety or distress
Medical – Dental – Specific Phobias
Specific Phobia is characterized by the excessive fear upon exposure to an object or a situation, which causes an anxious response, such as a Panic Attack. Individuals with phobias recognize that their fear is excessive and unreasonable, but are unable to control it. The feared object or situation is usually avoided or anticipated with dread. Specific Phobia affects about 6.3 million Americans.
Associated Features
- Marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable
- The fear is cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation (e.g., flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood, etc.)
- Exposure to the phobic stimulus almost invariably provokes an immediate anxiety response
- The anxiety may be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, or clinging
- The phobic situation(s) is avoided or else is endured with intense anxiety or distress
Eating Disorders
The category of Eating Disorders includes Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge-Eating, and Emotional Compulsive Overeating. Having an Eating Disorder is much more than just being on a diet. An Eating Disorder is an illness that permeates all aspects of an individual’s life, and is caused by a variety of emotional factors and influences. It is a reaction to low self-esteem and a result of maladaptive coping skills with emotional life stressors. Between 4% and 20% of young women and men practice unhealthy patterns of dieting, purging, and binge-eating. Eating Disorders commonly co-occur with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, Panic Disorders and other anxiety disorders. In addition, people suffering from Eating Disorders may also exhibit other addictive or self-destructive behaviors.
Associated Features
- Dramatic weight loss or gain within a short period of time
- Preoccupation with food and cooking
- Obsession with weight (even if “average” weight or thin)
- Chronic dieting on a variety of popular diet plans
- Obsession with calories and fat in food contents
- Visible food restriction and self-starvation
- Visible bingeing and/or purging
- Use or hiding use of diet pills, laxatives, ipecac syrup, or enemas
- Self-defeating statements after food consumption
- Low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and frequent self-deprecation
- Need for acceptance and approval from others
- Vague or secretive eating patterns and rituals
- Self-blame on weight as a result of failure in social or professional relationships
- Holding the belief that life will be better if weight was decreased
