EP. 79 Unpacking Diagnoses: Unpacking Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Part 1

In this episode, the hosts, Mike, Shauna, and Jeremy continue the discussion of unpacking diagnoses for OCD; does the Scriptures speak to the symptomatology that the DSM puts forth for obsessive compulsive disorder. In part 1 the hosts look at the DSM criteria for OCD. Join us next episode for part 2; formulating a biblical conceptualization of OCD. A. Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both: Obsessions are defined by (1) and (2) Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and unwanted, and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress. The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion). Compulsions are defined by (1) and (2) A. Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both: Obsessions are defined by (1) and (2) Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and unwanted, and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress. The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion).
DSM 5 Criteria for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 300.3

Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both:

  1. Obsessions are defined by (1) and (2)

Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and unwanted, and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress.

 The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion).

2. Compulsions are defined by (1) and (2)

Repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.  

The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or distress, or preventing some dreaded event or situation…clearly excessive.


B. Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both:

Compulsions are defined by (1) and (2)

Repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.  

The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or distress, or preventing some dreaded event or situation…clearly excessive.