...Psychological Disorders Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when someone has gone through or experienced a traumatic event in their life. The person suffering from PTSD experiences reoccurring episodes of the traumatic event they experienced. There are many different types of traumatic events that could trigger this disease. Some examples that may lead to PTSD are witnessing a crime, domestic abuse, and war. The most experience I have had with PTSD is learning about soldiers who have been affected by fighting in war. I’ve read several fiction novels that display a soldier dealing with PTSD. In Tim O’Brien’s fiction novel The Things They Carried, many soldiers are affected by fighting in the Vietnam War. The book takes the reader through the soldiers’ experiences while fighting, and then fast-forwards to years down the road when the veterans are much older. The reason for this is to show how the veterans are still affected by the war many years later. One particular soldier, Norman Bowker, spent his late years reflecting on his time in the war. He blamed himself for what happened to his fellow soldiers. He first handily watched one of his good friends die in combat. Bowker had the chance to save his friend, but he was unable to do so. Norman had reoccurring episodes where he found himself in the middle of combat, not knowing what to do. After these episodes occurred, he felt no purpose of living anymore. The aftermath of the war is what got to Bowker...
Words: 989 - Pages: 4
...November 3, 2014 Chantell Scott Application to Psychology: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Clinical Psychologist’s must tackle a huge number of mental disorders. They can range from anything being Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to Schizophrenia. To fully comprehend the application of clinical psychology in the real-world environment one must fully understand the realm of psychology and all that goes with it. Here I will provide an overview of my chosen disorder being Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I will then discuss the biological, psychological and social factors that are involved in my case. I will then explain which interventions would be appropriate in the field of psychology and then for each intervention we will discuss the rationale for the selected intervention, what would take place, who would be involved in the intervention, where the intervention would be held and lastly which area the intervention would target either biological, psychological or social. Overview My case involves Bess; she is a 27 year old female stemming from the upper middle class. Bess is an accountant as well as a perfectionist, which in her field is completely normal. When Bess was the young age of 10, her parents divorced and Bess remained in her mother’s custody. The two spent a great deal of time together. Her mother would often express her love for Bess and from there it would turn into a fight. The fights were usually due to her mother trying to improve her or make her better, therefore...
Words: 1662 - Pages: 7
...The case of Bess Obsessive compulsive disorder commonly referred to as OCD is an anxiety disorder; people who suffer from OCD act compulsively and have obsessive thoughts. The fear of contamination is most common type of OCD; it leads to compulsive cleaning rituals as fear of germs, or dirt is a frightening thought for OCD sufferers. OCD could be explained biologically and psychologically. Genes could be a factor that could expose one to OCD. It is thought of that OCD could be passed on genetically. Family studies are good source supporting this theory; the siblings, parents or children of OCD sufferer have 50% genes similar to the OCD sufferer. The risk of getting OCD is between 2-3%, if the percentage is bigger than 2-3% within the family members it is the suggested as an evidence for genetic influences. Close family members have 10-15% risk of developing OCD which stands as a strong evidence. Another study has concentrated on the twins both identical and fraternal. The twins that were studied where selected based on if one had definitely OCD and they looked if the other twin had it too. The results showed that the second twin had 53-87% risk of developing OCD. With the fraternal twins the risk was smaller at 23-43%. To fully understand OCD psychological factors that could trigger OCD need to be taken into consideration too. Regression to an anal stage is an example of psychodynamic explanation for OCD. It is when potty training takes place. If taken too strictly it could result...
Words: 2288 - Pages: 10
...Disorder (OCD) Sam A. Okibe May 10th, 2013 Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) INTRODUCTION: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric illness categorized under anxiety disorder. OCD is characterized by marked obsession (thoughts) and compulsion (repetitive behavior) aimed at satisfying the obsession. The DSM-IV-TR (2000) places OCD’s diagnosis under Axis-1 along with most anxiety disorders. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) which afflicts over 5 to 6 million American adults, teens, and children, most not be confused with the personality disorder known as obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). The two disorders differ in that while those suffering from OCD are characterized by repeated need to satisfy ritualistic actions, those afflicted with OCPD tend to focus on perfectionism, marked by severe anxiety when they feel that things are not how they should be. In a Time magazine article entitled When Worry Hijacks The Brain Kluger, Cray, and Pomerance (2007), noted that the average lag time before OCD is properly diagnosed is a shocking nine years. Kluger et al. continued by stating that it takes an additional eight years before an effective treatment is prescribed. OCD is behind schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, and ADHD as far as treatment research is concerned (Kluger et al.). WHAT CAUSES OCD? Psychologists and Psychiatrics have since the late 17th century engaged themselves with different approaches on the cause of OCD (Goodman...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...Matthew Hoffman Mental Illness: OCD Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by the inability to control or even stop unwanted thoughts and actions. From the 14th to the 16th century in Europe, OCD was thought to be a devilish influence and treated through exorcisms (“Who discovered OCD?”). As time went on, this anxiety disorder was thought as a form on insanity; this was until the 19th century. In the 19th century, the obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions were debated as neurosis (“A short history of OCD”, 2009). Finally in 1910, OCD was known to be the “touching disorder” by Sigmund Freud. Freud and Pierre Janet were the first to identify that the disorder is a psychological disorder (“A short history of OCD”, 2009; “Who discovered OCD?”, Karr, 2010). Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects about 1 percent of the United States and 1.8 percent of Canadians. The cradle to grave occurrence of obsessive-compulsive disorder is approximately 1.7 to 4 percent (Moscou & Snipe, 2009). In adults, men and women are equally affected by OCD, according to the American Psychiatric Association in the DSM-IV-TR (2000). According to Medical Doctor, Sang H. Suh, men with OCD have symptoms show up at a younger age than women; men as 6 to 15 years old and women being in their 20’s (2004). Some researchers say that minorities—mostly African and Mexican Americans—are more susceptible to anxiety disorders, such as OCD. This is very controversial because...
Words: 1627 - Pages: 7
...the developments of numerous tests have been provided to support diagnosis and theories. These tests also help us clinicians better understand the individual. Thus the validity and reliability of these test instruments is extremely important. In order for clinicians and practitioners to validate their prognosis, they may incorporate the use of various testing instruments, to help ensure they or properly diagnosing a client or it could be to prove the validity of one test over...
Words: 1233 - Pages: 5
...it and himself. This is what millions of people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) deal with every day. OCD has many shapes and sizes which make it incredibly complex to diagnose and treat. Since there is not a cure or a known cause for OCD, there are just theories, studies, and good judgments to go by in order to help patients who suffer from OCD. According to Jeffrey Schmwartz M.D. “no one really knows why some people develop the disorder and other’s do not”. Men and women are equally likely to suffer from OCD except for children. Male children are more likely to get OCD and it is usually linked to an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “Symptoms usually begin in individuals aged ten to twenty four years old” (Aronson, Sarah C. MD. pg.2). Studies from National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) say 9.7 percent of the sufferers have OCD by ages five to ten, 20.8 percent of the sufferers have it by ages ten to fifteen, and 41.9 percent by ages fifteen to twenty (Penzel, Fred Ph.D pg. 151). Regrettably at this time there is no way of knowing who will get this disorder, because it is not yet known why people develop the disorder. Until science can uncover the root of this problem, we must work off of theories and studies which somewhat relate, and hope they relieve the patient of their fears and obsessions. Determining a direct cause of OCD would be quite difficult because there are a variety of different ways psychologist look at disorders...
Words: 1470 - Pages: 6
...mental processes and behaviors. Normal Psychology studies normal behaviors that do not affect mental processing. Abnormal psychology studies abnormal mental process and behaviors. Mental disorders have the potential to be very serious and debilitating. Four examples of mental disorders include ADD and ADHD, Schizophrenia, OCD, and Bipolar disorder. It is important to recognize common symptoms, prevalence, contributing factors, and possible treatments for these disorders. ADD is attention deficit disorder, which is described as the inability to concentrate. ADHD is attention deficit hyperactive disorder, characterized by behaviors that are excessive, long-term, and pervasive energy that keeps an individual hyperactive. Schizophrenia may include the presence of hallucinations and delusions. OCD is often characterized by obsession of impulses that occur repeatedly. Bipolar is a disorder that touches on periods of mania and possible depression. These disorders can be treated by medicine and other therapies. A common question surrounding these disorders involves contributing factors, are these disorders influenced through heredity, environment, or is it just psychological? Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a brain disorder where people hear voices, have hallucinations, and delusions. It is not easy for people to see the symptoms because they start out usually mild, especially in teenagers. The National Institute of Mental Health (2014) list first signs as “change of friends, a drop in...
Words: 2101 - Pages: 9
...Case Study: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – The Case of Bess Your Name PSY/410 Date Professor Obsessive Compulsive Disorders: The Case of Bess Obsessive compulsive disorder commonly (OCD) can be defined as an anxiety disorder differentiated by acts of compulsiveness or continual thoughts of obsession. Persistent thoughts, images, and desires are characteristics of obsessions. These thoughts, images, and desires are not typically willed into one’s mind as they are often senseless, illogical, aggressive, taboo, etc. Compulsive acts are unrealistic and repetitive behaviors. The fear of contamination with germs, dirt, or grease is the most common obsession, which leads to thoroughgoing or compulsive cleansing rituals. Religion, sex, neatness, and hostility are other premises of obsessions. Other variations of compulsions consist of ritualistic counting and checking a specific amount of times. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of OCD in the case of Bess. Additionally, I will explain the biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, and behavioral theories as they apply to the disorder analyzed in my selected case. Overview of Case Bess is a 27-year-old upper-middle class woman who is an accountant and perfectionist, which is normal within her field. At age 10 her parents divorced and Bess was raised by her mother. Although Bess and her mother spent a great deal of time together and her mother frequently expressed her love for Bess, they would often fight. Most...
Words: 1536 - Pages: 7
...mental and behavioral disorders. These psychological disorders are always accompanied by symptoms which helps psychologist to identify and treat the disorder. The symptoms also aids in psychoanalysis which is a comprehensive theory and method of treatment...
Words: 888 - Pages: 4
...Psychological explanations of OCD are made up of firstly, behavioral and secondly cognitive explanations. Although they both explain the obsessions and compulsions of OCD in different ways, they each have their own ways of interpreting the aspects of OCD and how people behave. Behavioral explanations of OCD talk about how obsessions and compulsions are learned behaviors. The acquisition of obsessions is a two way process; classical conditioning talks about how a neutral stimulus becomes associated with anxiety, whereas operant conditioning describes how the anxiety associated with the stimulus is maintained by avoidance. An individual who avoids the feared stimulus leads to positive outcomes, and is therefore negatively reinforcing. Classical and Operant conditioning predicts that OCD patients have been predisposed to rapid conditioning. Tracy et al support this view; as they separated students into an ‘OCD like’ group and a control group based on their answers to an obsessive compulsive symptom checklist. They then used and eye blink task to see how much time it took for students in each group to condition (blink in response to a bell.) Their results showed that some OCD-like students were conditioned more quickly, and so this is one strength to support how conditioning has an effect on OCD patients. The other side of behavioral explanations of OCD is compulsions which suggest that the obsessions associated with anxiety are reduced following the compulsive behavior, and...
Words: 664 - Pages: 3
...Essay Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Do We Choose Or Are We Programmed? Sometimes I ask myself, “Where did my OCD Come From?” or, I have a mental breakdown and ask myself, “What am I doing?” Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is unwanted repetitive behaviours and thoughts that torture about 2% of the population (HealthProfs.com, 2014). Some people are convinced that this behaviour is a choice, and that people with OCD are pretending because they want attention. Although researchers don’t know exactly what causes OCD, they know it’s real, and research is proving that people are subconsciously programmed and nurtured into this behaviour through biology, family history, and life experiences (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2014). Biological factors relating to the possible causes of OCD are an area of considerable research and theory, and it suggests that the brain of a person with OCD has irregular interactions, which makes them have uncontrollable repetitive behaviours and thoughts (HealthProfs.com, 2014). Biological causes of OCD have focused on a circuit in the brain which regulates primitive aspects of our behaviour such as aggression, sexuality, and bodily excretions (OCD-UK, 2013). When this circuit becomes activated, certain impulses are brought to your attention and cause you to perform a particular behaviour that appropriately addresses the impulse (OCD-UK, 2013). Abnormalities and imbalances in serotonin could also be to blame, because serotonin regulates everything...
Words: 1240 - Pages: 5
...linked to OCD in many ways, but the cause of trich is still unknown; in The Hair-Pulling Problem, by Fred Penzel he presents five different theories about the cause of thich. Trichotillomania is a compulsive disorder that causes one to pull our hair from various part of their body. Some places people most commonly pull from include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, pubic area, and legs (Trichotillomania Learning Center). Out of all the places one could pull hair from, the scalp is the most common, followed by eyelashes and eyebrows (Trichotillomania : Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology). Hair pulling is a mechanism used as a way of coping with anxiety; people also use it as a way of relieving stress and tension (Doctor, Ronald M). After pulling out a hair or many hairs a sense of pleasure and relief is felt, followed by a feeling of guilt (Mayo Clinic Staff). The action of pulling is often done in private when nobody is around, but hair pulling can also occur in a public space when others are around (Doctor, Ronald M). Trich tends to develop between the ages of eleven and thirteen, but after being fully developed trich tends to be a lifelong problem (Mayo Clinic Staff). The common balance of trich diagnosed in blacks, whites, and Asians relatively equal (Trichotillomania : Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology). Trichotillomania is a form of an obsessive compulsion disorder or also known OCD for short (What Causes Compulsive Hair Pulling?). Because trich is a form of OCD, the two...
Words: 1877 - Pages: 8
...University of Phoenix Material Psychological Disorders Etiology of Psychological Disorders Describe the following perspectives on the etiology of psychological disorders: |Perspective |Description of Perspective | |Biological Perspective |Biological perspective is a way of looking at psychological topcis by studying the physical | | |basis for animal and human behavior. It is one of the major perspectives in psychology, and | | |involves such things as studying the immune sytem, nervous system, and genetics. | |Learning Perspective |The views of human development which holds the changes in behavior result from experience or | | |form adaptation to the environment. | |Cognitive Factors |Something inmaterial that contributes to producing a result. | |Diathesis-Stress Model |A psychological theory that attempts to explain behavior or illness as a result of | | |predispositional vulnerability together with stress from life experiences. | |Personality Factors ...
Words: 502 - Pages: 3
...Personalities vary from person to person, and we all exhibit an intense, life long, pattern of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings known as traits. Personality traits are said to be stable throughout our life’s and the situations we are faced with in life. Personality traits can range from happy and outgoing to miserable, lonely, unstable, and unreliable. When personality becomes disruptive, and interferes with life in areas of social and occupational functions they are said to be a personality disorder (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2011). Persons with personality disorders have difficulty in their identities, pursuits in life, and relationships. Important to add at this point is the most common theories of personality disorders. One theory of personality is known as the five factor model (the Big 5). This theory uses five dimensions or factors with negative and positive opposites on a continuum to explain personality disorders from functional to dysfunctional. The Big 5 factors are negative emotionally, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2011). Each of the Big 5 factors has facets such as anxiousness, warmth, fantasy, competency, and modesty to name a few. These facets help to pinpoint a disorder. Next, the DSM IV-TR currently deals with personality disorders very differently and consider personality disorders without any consideration to normal. The DSM IV- TR groups personality disorders into clusters. Cluster A includes...
Words: 3154 - Pages: 13
