The document discusses obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the role of nurses. It defines OCD and its most common symptoms which involve obsessions and compulsions. Common obsessions include contamination, perfectionism, unwanted thoughts, harm, and religion. Compulsions include checking, cleaning, repeating behaviors, and reassurance seeking. The causes of OCD are largely unknown but involve biological and environmental factors. Prognosis varies but OCD often begins in childhood/adolescence and can be a chronic condition. Medications like antidepressants are used to treat OCD and nurses provide important interventions like advising on medications, creating a therapeutic environment, and offering emotional support.

1. OBSESSION By Dragan
Nikolic

2. •Obsession
Repetitive, invading, persistant beliefs/thoughts that are
imposible to be ignored by a person.
Most common Obessive disorder:
•Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Anxiety disorder of intrusive thoughts
fear, apprehension, worry, and uneasiness.
Combination of:
- Obsession
- Compulsion
Obsessive – Compulsive - Disorder
OBSESSION

3. OBSESSION
Contamination: body fluids, germs, dirt…
Other: getting ill/disease, superstitious – numbers, colors…
Perfectionism: exactness, evenness, know, remember…
Unwanted sexual thoughts: forbidden, perverse, aggressive…
Loosing control: fear that one can hurt himself, others …
Harm: fear of being responsible for wrong things happened…
Religious: concerns of offending God, blasphemy, morality…
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4. COMPULSION
Checking that: did not/will not harm itself/others…
Mental Compulsions: mental review, praying to prevent…
Washing & Cleaning excessively: hands, bathing…
Repeating: routine activities, body movements…
Other: putting things in order, getting reassurance…✓
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5. Causes
OCD
Because of changes in
one’s body natural
chemistry and brain
functions + it may have
some genetic
component, although
specific gen is still not
identified.
Biology
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Exact cause
- Abusse,
- Ilness,
- Death of a family
member or a friend,
- Relationship worries,
- Work or school stress
or changes,
- Changes in living
situation.
Environment
According to multiple
researches and many
studies exact cause is
still unknown
unfortunately.
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6. Larger studies from multiple sites are needed to establish accurately the prognosis associated with
modern treatment methods.
OCD
Prognosis
Usually begins before age of 25, childhood &
adolescence.
• According to 1988 research:
 85% continuous course with waxing &
warning symptoms,
 10% deteriorative course,
 2%episodic course.
• According to 1995 research:
 1.5y to 5y research – out of 23 children on
medication, only 4 were free of OCD,
 8 had subclinical symptoms,
 11 remaining had chronic or episodic OCD.

7. Medications
OCD
Fluoxetine
(Prozac ®)
Sertraline
(Zoloft ®)
Clomipramine
(Anafranil ®)
Citalopram
(Celexa ®)
Fluvoxamine
(Luvox CR ®)
Parexotine
(Pexeva
®, Praxile ®)

8. Medications (cont’d)
OCD
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Stomach problems, sleep
disturbance, sweating and reduced
sexual interest.
Side effects
Suicidal thought can increase in some
cases in children, teenagers, and young
adults under 25y/o.
Suicide risk
3
Danger if interact with
alcohol, other
medications, foods, or some other
substances.
Interactions with other substances
Medications that are used to help control
OCD are most comonly antidepresants.
 More than one is tried,
 Combination with antipscyhotics,
 Therapy not to be stoped before
consultation with doctor,
 Not addictive; however, physical
dependance may happen.
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9. • Nurse is the person that creates therapeutic
environment and helps people to return to they
normal life as fast as its possible,
• Nurse must be emotionally available, able to
listen, nonpunitive, supportive, understanding,
and encouraging.
OCD
Nursing Interventions

10. Nursing Interventions (Cont’d)
OCD
Nurse is known as a pillar of stability and consistency
by working closely with clients. Nurse is there to
provide different types of assistances such as:
Advising
assistance
Emotional
assistance
Physical
assistance

11. Assisting the person with OCD to perform routine physical care include:
Handling inappropriate or dangerous behaviors.
Assisting sleep-deprived client to sleep.
Assisting with ADL’s.
Administering prescribed medications, observing for side effects, and teaching clients about
medications.
Administering physical treatment, as ordered by doctor.
Nursing Interventions (Cont’d)
OCD
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12. There are many ways in which nurse can be emotionally supportive such as:
Introduce himself/herself and offer to shake hands.
Be even-tempered and uncritical – the person is ill.
Establish rapport (harmonious relationship), and here are some aspects of positive nurse-client
relationships:
Be truthful but not brutally so.
Have poise-it influence confidence in both nurse and client
Nursing Interventions (Cont’d)
OCD
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* Be an interested listener. Sit down to visit the clients. Do not stand over them.

13. Display empathy. It is very important to try to understand how clients feels.
Appreciate individual differences.
Set appropriate limits.
Concentrate on client’s strengths and not on weakness.
Treat adults as adults
Reward positive behaviors and step toward wellness.
Nursing Interventions (Cont’d)
OCD
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* Do not force client to have a long interview if it is uncomfortable…

14. Create therapeutic and safe environment within the mental health setting.
Provide leadership in socialization activities with person or group.
Conduct remotivation sessions.
Provide emotional support to the client and family.
Aid in group therapy sessions
Assist the client and family to access other resources, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, a community
drop-in center or community social worker.
Nursing Interventions (Cont’d)
OCD
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15. 1. Alcohol usage is not
advised, especially in the initial phase
of medication therapy.
2. Driving is not advised during therapy
because drowsiness, dizziness, or
cognitive impairment can be present.
3. Alcohol can interact with other
medications in negative way and may
alter the therapy..
Advising
assistance
OCD
Nursing Inteventions (Cont’d)
Interaction
with
medications
DrivingAlcohol

16. The Nurse
Summary
OCD
As a pillar of stability nurse’s help is vital in helping clients and their needs in overcoming OCD’s and
its symptoms, and as that nurse has significant role in taking care of mentally ill people.
• OCD and its course can vary,
• Symptoms can come and go (people can feel that symptoms
are disappearing or becoming worse over time),
• Avoiding triggering situations + medications may help in
calming people with OCD,
• Combinig multiple medications can be dangerous in some
situations and people should be aware of that.

17. THANK YOU!
Dragan Nikolic