Unit 5: Psychological Disorders

OCD

Janice sets her clothes out the night before work. She checks and double-checks everything to make sure it all matches and looks just right. Then she sets her alarm for two hours early to make sure she is not late, and even wakes up sometimes two or three times during the night to make sure the alarm is set.

Phobia

Jeffrey has lived in his two-room apartment for five years and has never left it. He orders out food to be delivered, and his nephew brings his groceries to him every two weeks. He is afraid that if he leaves, something bad will happen to him.

OCD

Joan feels she has to check the door seven times before leaving her apartment to make sure it is locked. She also has to turn the faucet on and off seven times after washing her face.

PTSD

Joaquin was a soldier in Vietnam. Even though he came home from there more than 35 years ago, he stills wakes up during the night in a cold sweat with his heart beating fast. He takes five different nerve medications to relax him. He has lost many jobs and can't seem to hold onto one for more than a couple of months.

Panic

John is driving down the road and is overcome with a feeling that something is going to happen. His heart rate increases, he feels dizzy, and begins sweating profusely.

Phobia

Janet has never flown on an airplane, because she has an intense fear of the plane's crashing. She has never been able to go and see her son and grandchildren in Hawaii, because she would need to fly to get there.