Research pariticpants required for OCD!

Obsessive Complusive Disorder: Attachment, cognition and self-beliefs

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterised by the repeated occurence of instrusive thoughts and by compulsive actions. Researchers from Swinburne University are looking to extend research into current models of OCD through asking about beliefs about self and relationships.

Please note, we are seeking people without a diagnosis of OCD to do this research. IF you have OCD you are free to continue, although you may find some questions to be confronting.

Participation in this research involves completing an anonymous online survey. The survey involves a series of questions about you in relation to others, your thought processes, current mood state, and some demographic details. It should take around 30 minutes to complete. Please note that some questions about sensitive topics will be asked in this study. If you are uncomfortable with this, you may wish not to participate (e.g.: symptoms of depression and OCD, experiences of close relationships, and views you have about yourself).

If you decide to participate in this research, please complete the anonymous survey online. It is important that you understand that your participation in this study must be voluntary. You are free to discontinue participation at any time.

• Direct link to the survey is http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=11212

If you have any questions about this project, please contact:

• Supervisor: Dr Richard Moulding, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology: Phone: (03) 9214 4686, Email: rmoulding@swin.edu.au

• Student Researcher: Jude Allamby: Email: j.allamby@bigpond.com

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is defined by the occurrence of unwanted and uncontrollable obsessive thoughts or distressing images, and is accompanied by compulsive behaviours. The compulsive acts are performed in order to neutralize the repetitive thoughts or images. Compulsions can involve either repetitive physical behaviours or mental rituals and there are often very strict rules on how this behaviour should be performed.

Most of us at some point in our lives have experienced minor obsessive thoughts. For example, whether we remembered to lock the door or turn the stove off and sometimes we may even engage in these behaviours such as checking the stove or the lock on the door. However, when comparing this to those suffering from OCD, it is very different. Their thoughts and compulsions are much more persistent, extreme and distressing, and the compulsive behaviours interfere with everyday activities and daily functioning.

Other examples of obsessive thoughts include, fear of contamination or dirt, fear of harming yourself or others, intrusive sexual thoughts and fear of illness. It is not uncommon to experience a range of emotions such as feeling stressed or anxious, frustrated, depressed or even a sense of shame and wishing to hide your OCD from others. However, remember there are many people you can trust and talk to, such as mental health professionals, willing to help and offer support!

People with OCD feel as though they have to perform the behaviours over and over again, even if they don’t want to or think they seem meaningless, strange or even irrational. The five main types of compulsive behaviours, which people mostly experience consist of checking, cleaning, ordering/arranging and counting. Many individuals may have a few of these compulsions rather than just one. For a smaller number, having things symmetrical or even are the compulsions experienced. In recent years another form of compulsive behaviour receiving much attention is that of hoarding.

Some people’s behaviours can vary in severity such as washing your hands after going to the bathroom for around 15 to 20 minutes to washing your hands with disinfectants for hours everyday to the point where the hands bleed. This is also similar for checking rituals such as checking all the locks two to three time before leaving the house. Performing these rituals brings the individual a reduced feeling of tension, satisfaction and a sense of control. However, the relief is only temporary and the need to perform the rituals again and again is felt.

Approximately 2-3% of individuals in Australia experience OCD. Reasons as to why one may experience OCD are still unknown, however research has suggested that it may be linked to hereditary and genetic factors, the brain, personality traits or even stressful life events. It is important to look at the different approaches used to treat/manage OCD and one as such is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
This is when a mental health professional talks to an individual about their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and discusses alternative ways of thinking and coping. One advantage of this type of therapy is that the individual learns to become their own best cognitive therapist, by being taught techniques, strategies and skills to reduce their fear, or the need to engage in the compulsive ritual or overcome their anxieties and compulsions. Individuals can then continue to apply these techniques in-between or after therapy has finished.

Medication
In some cases medication may be helpful, however this is something that your psychiatrist or psychologist will be able to discuss with you. Certain medications help the brain to restore its usual chemical balance and help control the obsessions and compulsions.

Support groups
There are also many support groups (like here at ADAVIC) available for people with OCD where you can discuss your experiences with others who have been through similar ones.

References

www.anxietyonline.org.au/
www.anxietyaustralia.com.au
au.reachout.com/find/.../obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
http://www.ocd.net.au/

By Alexandra Alipan —ADAVIC Volunteer

Participate in Research!

SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
CONSENT INFORMATION STATEMENT

Title: Obsessive compulsive disorder: attachment and beliefs about the self.
Investigators
Dr Richard Moulding, Supervisor
Jude Allamby, Student Investigator

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterised by the repeated occurrence of intrusive thoughts and by compulsive actions. The purpose of the current study is to extend research into the current models of OCD through asking about beliefs about self and relationships.

Please note we are seeking people without a diagnosis of OCD to do this research. If you have OCD you are free to continue although you may find some questions to be confronting.

Participation in this research involves completing an anonymous survey. The survey involves a series of questions about yourself in relation to others and some demographic details. It should take around 30 minutes to complete. Please note that some questions about sensitive topics will be asked in this study. If you are uncomfortable with this you may wish not to participate (e.g., symptoms of depression and OCD, experiences of close relationships, and views you have about yourself).

If you decide to participate in this research, please complete the anonymous online survey. It is important that you understand that your participation in this study must be voluntary. You are free to discontinue participation at any time.

The results of this study will form the basis for the thesis of the student investigator. It may also be published in an academic journal or presented at academic conferences. Only grouped results would be published and no individual’s responses would be identifiable. Data for this study will be securely stored for a period of seven years before being destroyed.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact:
Dr Richard Moulding, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology, (03) 9214 4686, rmoulding@swin.edu.au.

If you experience any discomfort that you would like to discuss with a counsellor, possible services include:
Swinburne Student Services, Hawthorn campus, phone: 9214 8025
Swinburne Student Services, Lilydale campus, phone: 9215 7101
Swinburne Psychology Clinic, phone: 9214 8653
Lifeline, 13 11 14.

This project has been approved by or on behalf of Swinburne’s Human Research Ethics Committee (SUHREC) in line with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. If you have any concerns or complaints about the conduct of this project, you can contact:
Research Ethics Officer, Swinburne Research (H68),
Swinburne University of Technology, P O Box 218, HAWTHORN VIC 3122.
Tel (03) 9214 5218 or +61 3 9214 5218 or resethics@swin.edu.au

Do you live with someone suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology are looking for volunteers to participate in an interview of people who live with or support someone suffering from OCD.

If you and the person with OCD are over the age of 18 and you are willing to be interviewed either in person or over the phone, please contact Samantha on 0457 116 037 or at SBEEKEN@groupwise.swin.edu.au.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Lecture 11th October 2011

During Mental Health Week Psychiatrist Dr. Scott Blair-West will be presenting a lecture on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The lecture will discuss OCD, drawing upon examples of different obsessions and compulsions that people perform, including some of the more newly recognised symptoms. The Lecture will be held on Tuesday the 11th of October from 7:30pm in Moorabin. For more information or to book please visit the ADAVIC website

Mental Health Week 9th - 15th October

The 2011 Mental Health Week is rapidly approaching. During this week, Sunday the 9th to Saturday the 15th, ADAVIC will be holding two lectures.

On Tuesday the 11th of October Dr Scott Blair-West will be presenting a lecture on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This lecture aims to explain what OCD is and will discuss different examples of the obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals people perform. It will also delve into some more newly recognised OCD symptoms performed to reduce anxiety. For more information or to book online, please click here.

The second lecture; 'Treating Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)' will be held on Thursday the 13th of October. Presenter Peter Kyriakoulis will discuss the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a treatment option for Panic Attacks. For more information about this event or to book online, please click here

Obessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has been categorised as an Anxiety Disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV. OCD is characteristed by recurrant and disturbing thoughts; refered to as obsessions and the urge to perform repetitive and ritualised behaviours; refered to as compulsions. People suffering the disorder attempt to actively dismiss the unwanted thoughts/obsessions by performing the compulsions. In most cases the compulsions help to alleviate some of the anxiety as the compulsions are seen to cancel out the obsessions, and therefore whatever the disturbing thoughts are will not become real.

There has been a lot of research in the area of OCD lately, Psych Central recentally published an article, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Drugs Helps OCD in Children which discusses a recent study on treatments.

If OCD is something that you are wanting to learn more about, ADAVIC have a lecture coming up on the 11th of October being presented by DR Scott Blair-West. For more information or to book please Click Here

Online Treatment For OCD

Swinburne University researchers have been trialing an online treatment option for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with initial findings indicating that it could be successful in helping to manage symptoms.

"The online treatment will potentially make a huge difference for people in remote or rural areas, who have limited access to psychological services," said Professor Michael Kyrios who is leading the study.

The initial trial is now being followed by a larger study which will provide participants with access to free online treatment that is supported by therapists.

If you are over 18 year of age and are interested in participating you can contact Sam Mancuso on (03) 9214 4628 or via email: semancuso@swin.edu.au

For more information visit Anxiety Online

Cluttered lives of hoarders

Compulsive hoarding is where people have trouble discarding items. This leads to the person's house becoming cluttered to the point they can no longer move freely within their homes and begin to face unnecessary risks such as injuries from tripping and difficulties with hygiene. Hoarding afffects about one million Australian's and will soon be recognised as a medical condition in its own right. The Sunday Night show presented some very interesting information on this topic along with additional links on this issue, for further information please click here.