This is a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment/ For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org This is an update version!

1. Having Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder
By: Alicia Burns

2. What is it?
 Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder.
People that suffer from it exhibit unreasonable thoughts and
fears (obsessions) that lead them to carry out compulsive
and repetitive actions

3. Repetition and
Compulsiveness
The tasks above are generally not
stressful. However, for a patient
with obsessive compulsive
disorder, the repetition can be
grueling.

4. Symptoms
 Obsessions: unpleasant, unwarranted, persistence, and
repetitive thoughts. They do not make sense and these
thoughts occur when trying to do or think something else
(important).
 Compulsions: These connect with the obsessions in that they
reduce anxiety associated with the obsessions. They are
strong and they are repetitive.

5. Examples of
Thoughts
These thoughts would intrude a
persons thoughts while that person
was thinking about something and
cause anxiety.

6. When to see a doctor?
 Everyone has their perks. Some are extremely organized or
are perfectionists. However, a person becomes obsessive
compulsive when their obsessions and compulsions get in
the way of their lives.

7. Getting in the
Way of Life
This young woman could be doing
much more productive tasks then
cleaning a faucet; she could be
forming a career and family

8. Causes
 Biology (genes and physical neural change), environment
(behavior), or serotonin deficiency can cause OCD
 Stressful event and family history can be factors also

9. Child with OCD
This child may have had a parent
who had OCD. For example, he r
mother could have constantly
washed her hands. Children follow
their parents’ behavior. Additionally,
family history is a risk factor.

10. Treatment
 Treatment can be difficult
 Two types
 Psychotherapy
 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
 Teaching healthy ways to manage
 Exposing to fears
 Medications
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Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
Sertraline (Zoloft)

11. Medication
Treatments vary according to the
personality of the person and their
obsessions

12. OCD is a complicated disorder. Also, many patients have
multiple obsessions.
My Accounts

13. Cleanliness
I always fear that I will be infected
with something if I shake
someone’s hands. or I touch
something.

14. Organizing
If something is not in their place, it
bothers me. I can’t go even ten
seconds without fixing it. I’ll move
things back in their place.

15. Organizing
Also, before going too bed, I’ll
move my glasses case until its at
the perfect location with the perfect
number of water drops (I wash my
hands before and then sprinkle it
on the glasses case).

16. Organizing
I check the door knob so many
times. I've broken it thrice. I twist
and turn the key/knob until I am
satisfied.

17. Sexual Images
Just when I do not want them,
these images intrude. They come
up when I am under pressure and
the situation is important.

18. Aggressive
Impulses
Sometimes I want to shout bad
words at office parties. I mouth
them, but even that takes
tremendous strength.

19. Other thoughts
Every time I drive, I am horrifically
scared that I have done something
wrong. In fact, once I bumped into
a curb and I did not leave the site
for four hours. I only left because
my colleague passed by me and
insisted that I leave. She knew
nothing happened.

20. Physical
Compulsion/Com
plication
Under all the stress, I pull my hair
very much. I am only thirty and I
have a bald spot.

21. Physical
Compulsion/Com
plication
I also frequently pick at my skin. I
can only wear long sleeves now.
Summers are awkward times of
the year for me.

22. Works Cited
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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189
http://webpages.scu.edu/ftp/BGiven/Real%20Facts.html
http://lifetherapygroup.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder.html
http://www.medicus.ru/psyhiatry/specialist/obsessivno-kompulsivnoe-rasstrojstvo-ili-nevroz-navyazchivyh-sostoyanij34613.phtml
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=CFxGEbNN9HMIcM&tbnid=GuT
3KFLz1txo4M:&ved=0CAEQjxw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmRcXS4mFp38&ei=ZnqjUv
mxK8adkQeD-YDYDg&bvm=bv.57752919,d.eW0&psig=AFQjCNED9QtlWAfpPFP0W0NUW9XGH6kbQ&ust=1386531781149024
http://anxietyresearchcenter.com/ocd/
http://hangingbyasilverlining.blogspot.com/2011/04/all-mixed-up-and-no-where-to-go.html
http://m.inmagine.com/image-ptg01314771-Arm-covered-in-mosquito-bites%20Samboja%20East-Kalimantan-/-KalimantanTimur%20Borneo%20Indonesia.html
http://revivogen.com/blog/can-stress-cause-hair-loss/
http://www.primermagazine.com/2012/learn/how-to-change-your-girlfriends-front-door-lock-and-deadbolt
http://ocd-gone-in-seven-days.com/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-what-is-it-really/
http://lmrphotographyphotos.blogspot.com/2013/06/bad-and-good.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/10/even-young-ch-1.html
http://angryjogger.com/coping-with-negative-anxious-thoughts-while-running-when-your-mind-is-your-own-worstenemy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Road_Curb.JPG
http://jaimeinlondon.blogspot.com/2011/01/angry-face-waxingi-mean-threading.html

23. Disclaimer
 This is a project for a high school AP Psychology course.
This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological
ailment/ For questions about this blog project or its content
please email the teacher, Laura Astorian:
laura.astorian@cobbk12.org