The text describes four disorders categorized alongside OCD in the DSM-5 category of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Select and identify three of these disorders. For each disorder, write a one- or two-sentence vignette of a hypothetical patient to illustrate the disorder’s characteristics.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: Three of these four should be illustrated:
(1) Hoarding disorder. “A visitor can hardly navigate Ricky’s apartment, as old magazines and newspapers are stacked everywhere. It seems as if Ricky has never discarded a single piece of mail. While some knick-knacks are displayed, others are simply left in boxes that cover the available floor space.”
(2) Body dysmorphic disorder. “Spence spends two hours at the gym every day. Although his build is attractive, he continues to bemoan his perceived lack of muscularity. In addition to the time he spends at the gym, he spends an additional two or three hours researching bodybuilding supplements and techniques online. He claims he has no time for personal relationships; his entire life is consumed by either work or fitness.”
(3) Trichotillomania (hair-pulling): “When Julie feels stressed, she tends to pull at her hair. She often does this when sitting at her vanity alone at night. Her pulling has resulted in an area of thinning hair alongside the part in her hair.”
(4) Excoriation (skin-picking): “Luis picks at small blemishes on his forearms. His picking has resulted in deep lesions, which have scabbed over.”
Learning Objective: 8.5 Describe the characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder, its causes, and treatment.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Other DSM-5 Disorders Categorized With OCD
Difficulty Level: Medium