Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder that is characterized by the presence of obsessive thoughts or intrusive images, compulsive behaviors or the combination of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts/images/memories are intrusive and inappropriate and cause an individual significant anxiety and distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, putting objects in order, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying or counting) that a person feels compelled to perform in an attempt to minimize feelings of anxiety and discomfort.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychological disorder that involves a misperception of one or more body areas. Individuals with BDD perceive a defect or flaw in their appearance that is either very small or nonexistent. Areas of concern often involve flaws of the face or head (e.g., hair thinning, acne, scars, redness, wrinkles, facial asymmetry, size/shape of facial features such as nose, mouth, lips, etc.). Other areas of concern may include but are not limited to genitals, breasts, buttocks, abdomen, hips, and thighs. Individuals suffering from BDD are preoccupied with the perceived defect(s) to a point where it causes clinically significant distress in several areas of functioning. They may spend excessive amounts of time checking their appearance in mirrors, putting on makeup or otherwise masking their appearance, and seeking reassurance. Individuals with BDD will often avoid social situations and romantic relationships. As a result, high levels of anxiety, depression, embarrassment, shame, and self-disgust are frequently present.
Excoriation Disorder
Excoriation Disorder is characterized by repeated picking of the skin, often leaving scabs, scarring, or discoloration. Individuals with excoriation disorder generally feel an urge to correct perceived imperfections in their skin and have difficulty controlling the urge. Urges may also be preceded by physical skin sensations or emotional tension/stress. Although picking at skin abnormalities can be a normative behavior (i.e. cuticles, acne, etc.), it becomes problematic when the frequency or consequences are severe enough to result in significant emotional distress or impairment. People may experience a degree of shame and/or avoid social activities as a result of their appearance, which can, in turn, lead to secondary depression or anxiety. Infections and medical problems related to excoriation disorder are also common.
Hoarding Disorder
Hoarding Disorder is characterized by persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. The difficulty is due to a perceived need to save the items and to the distress associated with discarding them. As a result, the accumulation of possessions congests and clutters active living areas, which substantially compromises their intended use. Hoarding disorder causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (including the ability to maintain a safe environment for self and others).
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is characterized by an overwhelming urge to repeatedly pull out one’s own hair, resulting in repetitive hair pulling and subsequent hair loss. Though the hair on the scalp is most often affected; the eyelashes, eyebrows, beard or any other area hair may grow can also be affected. The criteria for a diagnosis include: recurrent pulling out of one’s hair resulting in noticeable hair loss; an increasing sense of tension immediately before pulling out the hair or when attempting to resist the behavior; pleasure, gratification, or relief when pulling out the hair; the disturbance is not better accounted for by another mental disorder and is not due to a general medical conditions (e.g., a dermatologic condition); and the disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Hair pulling may be triggered by or accompanied by a number of emotional states. It can be preceded by anxiety, boredom, stress, or tension, and can result in feelings of gratification, relief, or pleasure following the pulling. Hair pulling can also involve varying degrees of awareness. Specifically, hair pulling can be focused (i.e., pull hair intentionally to relieve tension or distress) or automatic (i.e., pull hair without a realization of the behavior). An individual may do both focused and automatic hair pulling, depending on the situation and mood.