PSYCH101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 34: Positive Illusions, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cyclothymia

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Paul Wehr

Document Summary

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: obsessions: persistent, uncontrollable intrusions of unwanted thoughts that produce anxiety. Often reflect real dangers (contamination; security; safety) but not always (symmetry). Compulsions: urges to engage in ritual behaviour that relieve anxiety. Often related to obsession (e. g. , cleanliness; checking; counting & organizing). Two components, obsession and compulsion, after one comes the other. Not things that people like to think about. Ocd individuals can only think about those things, over and over causing them to experience anxiety. Different than anxiety disorders so put into its own thing. Worry that they might need something in the future and it can lead to shopping addiction, lose control of their belongings. Witnessing the aftermath of traumatic event (natural disaster). Graphic images can lead to ptsd in children: onset delayed months or years after event. Symptoms: anxiety, anger, guilt; re-experiencing the event (nightmares, flashbacks); emotional numbing & social alienation; substance abuse; depression & suicide.