We spoke in class about the creation of a progress narrative when it comes to "recovery" from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and the discovery of a "cure." Likewise, we also began talking about the current treatment methods used in many cases of OCD--most commonly the combination of medication and exposure therapy. The following clip from A&E's Obsessed depicts one session of exposure therapy.
It's important to remember that this therapy does not work for everyone--Osborn cites figures that put the success rate at 60-70%--and as you'll hear in the clips for Tuesday, it is not a one time fix.
This clip is interesting for a second reason as well: the woman's obsession depicts the way that OCD can take a healthy (or helpful) behavior to such an extreme that it becomes dangerous. Her compulsions drove her to exercise for much of the day every day, and she was unable to interact with her husband or children as a consequence. Clearly this is a very different type of obsession than the sort we discussed on the first day of class.
Hopefully this clip, in combination with the two for Tuesday, help distinguish both pop-culture and clinical definitions of obsession as well as obsessions and compulsions in OCD.
While looking at the other two clips I noticed that every OCDer has a similar reaction when facing their obsessions. Of course, reactions are not always exactly the same since every human being is different.
ReplyDeleteNicole's exposure therapy was so painful to see. You can tell she was suffering while exposing herself to her mom's delicate hands and K-sound or his brother's hand touching her. She felt that the doctor was torturing her by making her do things that were increasing her anxiety. Same with Cindee. The ultimate thing here is to achieve that the anxiety calms down in its own. Of course, this is not an easy task and it will take their entire life. But as they progress, life will be a little more shiny.
Watching the suffering from feeling out their anxiety was heart wrenching for me as well.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting for me to realize that it seemed that anxiety wasn't the only emotion overwhelming them. Maybe guilt, shame and remorse as well. Who knows, even accomplishment , relief, and and a whole mess of positive emotions they miss out on by engaging in their O/Cs may be bubbling under there. Must be intense! Cindee breaks down about the guilt behind how her compulsion has affected her marriage as soon as the anxiety begins to receed.
I suppose my non-clinical compulsion to everyday anxiety is being funny, making a joke. And since this segment made me realize how serious this dis-ease is, I have to add:
Did anyone notice that her coffee table is a trampoline?!?
Its surreal watching the struggle this people are going worst when they know there's no logically reason behind what their doing but they cant fight the energy that forces them to do random activities complusively to deal with their intense anxiety.
ReplyDeleteWhile watching this video, i never thought that it would be so hard for a person to get out of routine that they are used to. This woman's anxiety level was extremely high, i didnt think that this would happen, her body was literally shaking and it seemed as if she couldnt stop it.
ReplyDeleteThis clip helps me to see OCD as a real life issue. The thought of this woman not completing her ritual of excercising is causing her so much anxiety she is shaking and crying. What kind a life can she be leading...what about her husband?...her kids? this is so sad because it is evident that this wrecking her life and she wants and need change in her life.
ReplyDeleteI felt very bad for nicole and the relationship she was unable to have with her own mother because of the way she placed her fork down, the soft way she placed her hands, and even the way she said the "K" sound
ReplyDeleteOne thing, I never seen or heard of anyone that has OCD for exercising, and that it'll be in the way of someone's family. I feel really bad for her and her family because she is doing something that is really healthy to do, in an unhealthy way. As a result, there cant be a relationship between her and her family.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing this video, I am led to believe that the only way one can recover from OCD is to confront the anxiety and expose yourself to to the obsession. This seems very hard for most people to do, especially when it's so tempting, but it actually works for most people. At first it doesn't seem like it would, but as you slowly confront your anxiety more and more everyday, your compulsions lessen and you find that you have the ability to control yourself. I think with behavioral cognitive therapy, one will see better improvements.
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