Case Study: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – The Case of Bess
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PSY/410
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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 of the fighting involved her mother trying to improve and make Bess try harder. Her father was unsuccessful in obtaining long-term employment, but Bess loved spending time and visiting with him. He did not keep in touch often and her mother did not like Bess to visit with her father; she would degrade him every chance she had. Bess’s mother stressed cleanliness and hand washing in the home;