3 ARTICLES DEALING WITH OCD IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS
ARTICLE #1
TITLE
How O.C.D. and Hand-Washing and Coronavirus Collide
DESCRIPTION
This is a fascinating article that combines the issues of those suffering with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and the pandemic of coronavirus (covid-19). “The coronavirus outbreak has turned many of us into nervous germophobes, seeking to protect ourselves from infection by washing our hands methodically and frequently, avoiding unnecessary contact with so called high-touch surfaces and methodically sanitizing packages, our homes and our bodies.
For people diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, or O.C.D., the worry created by the threat of coronavirus has the potential for more intense and longer-lasting implications.”
The article provides stories (cases) of those who have successfully been treated for OCD and their struggles with their issue in dealing with the coronavirus. The article explains what OCD is, the symptoms, and the usual treatments (Psychotherapy, Exposure Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT). The article also provides details about the the therapies are modified for the coronavirus. This article can be used in conjunction with the topics of Health Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Therapy.
SOURCE
New York Times, April 3, 2020, by Katherine Rosman
LINK TO RESOURCE
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/03/style/ocd-coronavirus-challenges.html?searchResultPosition=1
(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/y8jbe8dk
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ARTICLE #2
TITLE
Managing COVID-19 concerns for people with OCD
DESCRIPTION
This article focuses upon “Five strategies for helping patients during the COVID-19 public health crisis.” The article is very helpful in understanding how therapeutic issues can be applied to activities of daily living for not only those with OCD but for all who feel that they are experiencing these symptoms. This article can be used in conjunction with the topics of Health Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Therapy. Read about the five strategies on the website.
SOURCE
American Psychological Association, April 10, 2020, by Reid Wilson, PhD, Shala Nicely, LPC, and Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT
LINK TO RESOURCE
https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/managing-ocd
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ARTICLE #3
TITLE
5 Ways to Remain OCD-Controlled in the Face of the Coronavirus:
Techniques to conquer OCD during a crisis.
DESCRIPTION
Imagine all reading having been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive disorder and been treated successfully. Now during a pandemic of coronavirus having to deal with all of the issues. “Once the OCD sufferer starts engaging in compulsive behaviors, it is extremely difficult for them to control the compulsions. This is because when a person with compulsive handwashing begins to wash their hands, 20 seconds will never feel clean or right to them. The strong urge to continue washing will begin.
Furthermore, more and more doubt thoughts will enter their mind. An example of a doubt thought could be, “I don’t think I cleaned well enough under one of my fingernails.” This doubt obsession will not stop in the OCD person’s head and the obsession can become so strong that they will experience a strong desire to wash again. The consequences of this can be harmful. Not only will they be legitimizing the scary obsessions but they potentially might not be able to function in their daily life.” The article offers real world strategies and applications to control and cope with OCD and the pandemic. This article can be used in conjunction with the topics of Health Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Therapy.
SOURCE
Psychology Today, March 16, 2020, by Ilisa Kaufman Psy.D.
LINK TO RESOURCE
(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/y8wdschf
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CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•Begin with the following:
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
What are the symptoms?
How are these symptoms tortuous to those who are diagnosed with OCD?
•How has the coronavirus pandemic caused the OCD sufferers to regress even though they might have been successful in their treatments?
•What are the treatments for OCD? How are these modified during the coronavirus pandemic?
•What strategies can be applied to activities of daily living that will help with coping?
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