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, What are Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
• A group of similar psychiatric disorders.
• Characterized by repetitive thoughts, distressing emotions, and compulsive behaviors.
• The specific types of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors vary according to each disorder.
• These disorders are:
1) obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD);
2) body dysmorphic disorder (BDD);
3) hoarding disorder;
4) hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania);
5) skin-picking disorder (excoriation).
6) substance/medication-induced obsessive-compulsive related disorder;
7) obsessive-compulsive and related disorder due to another medical condition;
8) other specified obsessive and compulsive and related disorders; and,
9) unspecified obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (such as body-focused repetitive
behavior disorder and obsessional jealousy).
, Obsessions
recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and
unwanted.
Common obsessional themes;
concerns about contamination;
harm happening to oneself or others;
intrusive sexual thoughts;
religious preoccupation and rituals;
repeated and excessive doubts about safety and security;
the need for symmetry and order;
perfectionism.
Because obsessions are unwanted, they create anxiety and distress when they occur. To
reduce this discomfort people perform compulsions.
Compulsions
Behaviors or mental acts that a person feels "driven" to perform in response to an obsession.
Common compulsions;
excessive hand washing;
re-ordering objects in a specific way;
checking on safety and security (a door lock, an electric appliance);
counting (aloud or silently);
the ritualistic repetition of prayers in one's mind.
Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders share many similar features. However, there are also
important differences. The following example illustrates the importance of these differences.
p l
u rs
C o m r d e
siv e i s o
s e s e d D
Ob e la t
n d R
a
, What are Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
• A group of similar psychiatric disorders.
• Characterized by repetitive thoughts, distressing emotions, and compulsive behaviors.
• The specific types of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors vary according to each disorder.
• These disorders are:
1) obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD);
2) body dysmorphic disorder (BDD);
3) hoarding disorder;
4) hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania);
5) skin-picking disorder (excoriation).
6) substance/medication-induced obsessive-compulsive related disorder;
7) obsessive-compulsive and related disorder due to another medical condition;
8) other specified obsessive and compulsive and related disorders; and,
9) unspecified obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (such as body-focused repetitive
behavior disorder and obsessional jealousy).
, Obsessions
recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and
unwanted.
Common obsessional themes;
concerns about contamination;
harm happening to oneself or others;
intrusive sexual thoughts;
religious preoccupation and rituals;
repeated and excessive doubts about safety and security;
the need for symmetry and order;
perfectionism.
Because obsessions are unwanted, they create anxiety and distress when they occur. To
reduce this discomfort people perform compulsions.
Compulsions
Behaviors or mental acts that a person feels "driven" to perform in response to an obsession.
Common compulsions;
excessive hand washing;
re-ordering objects in a specific way;
checking on safety and security (a door lock, an electric appliance);
counting (aloud or silently);
the ritualistic repetition of prayers in one's mind.
Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders share many similar features. However, there are also
important differences. The following example illustrates the importance of these differences.
