Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Case Study Essay
The information gathered from the case study best illustrates the symptoms related to obsessive compulsive disorder. According to the DSM-5, a person with this disorder is characterized by two important terms, including obsessions and compulsions. Scott has an obsession, that being an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes his mind, which in this case is his obsession over the contamination of germs. He also has a compulsion, that being an irresistible impulse to perform an act, especially one that is irrational. This is evident in Scott's behavior since it explains how he repetitively washes his hands as well as food for several hours to relieve his obsessive thoughts over germ contamination.
According to the criteria describing obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders within the DSM-5, these symptoms seem to represent these disorders best: Scott (1) displays recurrent and persistent distress when eating foods outside of his home because he is worried about the "invisible germs"; (2) The obsessive handing washing cause marked distress and are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day); (3) the obsessions or compulsions significantly interfere with his normal routine, occupational functioning (quit …show more content…
his job), and usual social activities or relationships (distanced himself from friends); (4) he is reluctant to go on dinner dates with his wife or participate in family events because of fear of contamination/germs; (5) has complaints of physical symptoms including raw, bleeding hands with open sores as a result of washing them to vigorously.
In contrast, due to Scott's obsessive compulsion towards hand washing he has lost contact with his friends making him feel guilty, sad, worthless, and experiences feelings of suicidal ideation, suggesting a development of depression. More specifically, his behavior outlines some symptoms outlined in the DSM-5 including (1) suicidal ideation, (2) feelings of worthlessness and guilt as a result of pushing his friends away, (3) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in leaving his house or participating in activities with his wife due to fear of germs, as well as (4) the development of thoughts pertaining to self harm. In Scott's case, collectively, his depressive symptoms may be minor since the case study does not indicate or present any further symptoms that would further solidify major depressive disorder. However, if these symptoms persist or if further symptoms were to develop, it could lead to major depressive disorder.
In order to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, research has shown that behavior therapy or more specifically, systematic desensitization to be the most effective treatment.
This method of treatment involves gradually exposing Scott to increasing anxiety-evoking stimuli. Another treatment that has been proven effective is exposure response prevention therapy, in which Scott would be exposed to something containing germs and would have to refrain from washing his hands afterwards. This is extremely anxiety-provoking initially, but eventually the anxiety starts to decrease. Furthermore, combining behavior therapy and exposure response prevention therapy together makes for the most effective treatment towards obsessive compulsive
disorder.
In contrast, cognitive-behavioral therapy would be used to treat depression. This treatment places more emphasis on discussing the thoughts and behaviors associated with the depression at hand. Psychoactive drug intake such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, can also be a source of therapy which improves the mood and behavior for people with depression, but it is not as effective as CBT. Although psychotic drugs are not considered to be a primary source of therapy, acknowledging the possibility of additional treatments illustrates the idea that there is more than one way to reduce the severity of specific symptoms. Thus, the administration of multiple treatments could prove to be more efficient than that of a single treatment.
According to the criteria describing obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders within the DSM-5, these symptoms seem to represent these disorders best: Scott (1) displays recurrent and persistent distress when eating foods outside of his home because he is worried about the "invisible germs"; (2) The obsessive handing washing cause marked distress and are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day); (3) the obsessions or compulsions significantly interfere with his normal routine, occupational functioning (quit …show more content…
his job), and usual social activities or relationships (distanced himself from friends); (4) he is reluctant to go on dinner dates with his wife or participate in family events because of fear of contamination/germs; (5) has complaints of physical symptoms including raw, bleeding hands with open sores as a result of washing them to vigorously.
In contrast, due to Scott's obsessive compulsion towards hand washing he has lost contact with his friends making him feel guilty, sad, worthless, and experiences feelings of suicidal ideation, suggesting a development of depression. More specifically, his behavior outlines some symptoms outlined in the DSM-5 including (1) suicidal ideation, (2) feelings of worthlessness and guilt as a result of pushing his friends away, (3) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in leaving his house or participating in activities with his wife due to fear of germs, as well as (4) the development of thoughts pertaining to self harm. In Scott's case, collectively, his depressive symptoms may be minor since the case study does not indicate or present any further symptoms that would further solidify major depressive disorder. However, if these symptoms persist or if further symptoms were to develop, it could lead to major depressive disorder.
In order to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, research has shown that behavior therapy or more specifically, systematic desensitization to be the most effective treatment.
This method of treatment involves gradually exposing Scott to increasing anxiety-evoking stimuli. Another treatment that has been proven effective is exposure response prevention therapy, in which Scott would be exposed to something containing germs and would have to refrain from washing his hands afterwards. This is extremely anxiety-provoking initially, but eventually the anxiety starts to decrease. Furthermore, combining behavior therapy and exposure response prevention therapy together makes for the most effective treatment towards obsessive compulsive
disorder.
In contrast, cognitive-behavioral therapy would be used to treat depression. This treatment places more emphasis on discussing the thoughts and behaviors associated with the depression at hand. Psychoactive drug intake such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, can also be a source of therapy which improves the mood and behavior for people with depression, but it is not as effective as CBT. Although psychotic drugs are not considered to be a primary source of therapy, acknowledging the possibility of additional treatments illustrates the idea that there is more than one way to reduce the severity of specific symptoms. Thus, the administration of multiple treatments could prove to be more efficient than that of a single treatment.