Aqa A-level Psychology Pya5: Psychodynamic Factors (ocd)

Psychological Explanations Of An Anxiety Disorder (OCD)

Freud’s Psychoanalytic Explanation  Obsessive Thoughts & Compulsive

Actions OCD occurs when unacceptable wishes & urges (coming from the id) are only partly repressed; therefore provoking anxiety. People with OCD use ego defence mechanisms to decrease the anxiety associated with the unacceptable

Freud’s Psychoanalytic Explanation 3 Main Defence Mechanisms (common to OCD): Isolation – detaching themselves from these unacceptable wishes/urges. When id is dominant, urges break in as obsessional thoughts Undoing – Undoing produces compulsive acts. (Comer, 2003 – washing hands = undoing urges) Reaction Formation – adopting behaviours/character persona exactly

Freud’s Psychoanalytic Explanation  Regression

(leading to the temporary reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development)

OCD patients can avoid the related anxiety of genital impulses (arousal) by partly regressing to an earlier phase. Regression unconsciously restores the childhood illusion that thoughts can cause external events. “magical thinking”

AO2  Freud’s Psychoanalytic Explanation

Apter et al. (1997) – suicidal inpatients scored higher on regression and other ego defences. Adam et al. (2000) – men who were aroused by male homosexual sex were likely to claim to be homophobic than men not aroused. Salzman (1980) – Psychoanalysis may have a negative effect on recovery from

Adler’s Explanation  Adler (1931)

OCD develops because an individual’s feelings of lack of skill or weakness. Adler believed such as excessive cleaning allow the person to develop mastery (skilfulness) in at least some areas of life. These attempts to overcome their weaknesses gradually become obsessive and may develop into OCD.

AO2  Adler’s Explanation

Rogers (1959) – low self-esteem leads to a lack of self-acceptance = blocking healthy growth. Unconditional positive view to restore self-esteem = improved mental health. Alderian therapy is similar to conditioning. It does not focus primarily on controlling OC symptoms but on helping to gain self-confidence. (Stein, 2003)