Transcript Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder
OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD,
involves repetitive behaviors/thoughts that
make no sense, according to John Purcell’s
article “Children, Adolescents, and
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the
Classroom”
SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN




Children might seem to worry excessively about
certain things. Have you ever heard a child say
the following things too often?
“DO YOU HAVE MY TEST GRADED? I CAN’T
FUNCTION UNTIL IT IS!”
“I AM SO WORRIED THAT I AM GOING TO LOSE
SOMETHING TODAY!”
“I ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE A 100.0 AVERAGE
IN THAT CLASS, OR I WILL BE SO MAD!”
SOMETIMES NORMAL THOUGHTS CAN GET EXTREME!




“I MUST GO WASH MY HANDS! MY
HANDS ARE DISGUSTING!”
“OH NO, MY WATCH IS BROKEN. NOW I
WON’T BE ABLE TO FUNCTION ALL DAY!”
“OH NO, I SPILLED THIS ON MY SHIRT.
MY WHOLE DAY IS RUINED!”
“I’LL START ON MY HOMEWORK AS SOON
AS I FINISH MAKING THIS LIST AND
DRAWING THIS PICTURE!”
BUT REMEMBER……………….

An infrequent or small duration of these
thoughts and feelings are normal human
nature. We’ve all thought those thoughts
at one time or another! However, all too
often, we may have a child who may go to
an extreme with these and other thoughts
and habits. That’s when we might need
to consider that they could have OCD!
Directly from www.ocfoundation.org


An estimated 1 in 50 adults currently has
OCD. In addition, twice this number have
supposedly dealt with it earlier in their
lives.
OCD is a medical dysfunction of the brain
that affects “mental processing”. It has
nothing to do with one’s personality type.
Directly from www.ocfoundation.org
OBSESSIONS may involve:
-- Constant worries of contamination
-- Constant worries of hurting self or others
-- Worries of losing control of situations
-- Too much spiritual or moral doubt
-- A constant need to “have things just so”
-- A constant need to confess things, ask
things, and tell things
Directly from www.ocfoundation.org
COMPULSIONS may involve:
-- excessive cleaning
-- repititions of things
-- constantly checking things
-- constantly having to touch certain things
-- constantly having to count certain things
-- constantly having to arrange things
When does OCD start?
It could start anywhere from preschool age to
middle-age adulthood! A large percentage of
OCD sufferers trace the beginnings of their
problems to childhood!
It often takes many years to get the right
diagnosis and treatment for the disorder.
However, once the right treatment is found, the
person’s distress symptoms can be greatly
reduced!
Is OCD inherited?


Apparently so, but an OCD parent might
struggle with different symptoms than an OCD
child might display!
Remember, this is a chemical disorder in the
brain. More research needs to be done, but it
seems to involve “communication” problems
between the front part of the brain and some
deeper portions – according to the OC
Foundation’s research.
Light at the end of the tunnel 


From what we have discussed, you can imagine
the moments of discomfort and unnecessary
stress that accompanies this disorder! But there
is good news!
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is available to help
patients perform mental exercises to eliminate
Obsessive-Compulsive symptoms. Along with
medication, there is hope to completely
overcome the disorder!
OCD anxiety can be greatly
reduced!
Although the symptoms may completely go
away in only a few of the OCD patients,
the vast majority of those who continue to
struggle with the disorder do find their
symptoms to be greatly reduced with the
proper therapy and medication! You can
have this disorder and live a normal life!
If you think you may have this disorder,
don’t panic, because you can get relief!
BE PATIENT!

Remember, we may have to deal with
OCD symptoms in our students, ourselves,
and loved ones. Sometimes, our
colleagues and administrators in the
school environment may struggle with
these symptoms – as well as the parents
of our students. Be aware that this
disorder is out there, and be patient and
understanding of those who struggle with
it!
KEEP STANDARDS HIGH, AS
LONG AS THEY ARE REALISTIC!

Don’t write OCD students off as worthless,
and don’t let them write themselves off as
worthless! Continue to hold high
expectations for these students, as long as
you remember to be reasonably flexible!
Remember, children with OCD can live a
BALANCED LIFE!
