Psycology on Obsesssive Compulsive Disorder

Janet is a 31-year-old teacher who lived with her husband. She was referred to the outpatient unit

of the University Hospital of the West Indies for treatment. This is her statement to the Clinical

Psychologist on duty:

“I have always been a worrier, but it did not start to ruin my life until seven years ago. I was 24

years old, a teacher and happily married… My problems started with panic leading to avoidance,

checking and rituals, to stop the situation recurring”.

“I became obsessed with dirt and cleanliness. I washed my hands 100 times a day as indicated by

my bleeding knuckles…. I thought lice were living on my body, and itching reinforced my fear. I

examined the bed at night, making sure there were no insects. I was petrified of contaminating

people, thinking that I might die. I wanted to wash anything I touched. I even had to buy items in

shops simply because I felt I had contaminated them. I threw away food for fear of poisoning

people. I became obsessed with colours and smell that I could no longer trust my own judgment,

and pestered John for constant reassurance. I avoided supermarket freezer sections in case I

damaged them or unfroze the food, leading to peoples’ death from salmonella poisoning”.

“….I could not leave the house by myself in case I left electrical items or taps on. I became

anxious about becoming pregnant, and John and I agreed to not make love for three months…