OCD and Anxiety

by Johnathon Bliss

Quick Demonstration
Solve the math problems
Fail to complete in 3 minutes, receive an F

Quick Demonstration
Solve these problems within the 3 minutes. Be
sure to show all of your work. No Calculators!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

236*997=?
329*454=?
678*321=?
247*131=?
807*435=?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

235,292
149,366
217,638
32,357
351,045

Misophonia and Anxiety

Developed freshman year

Started small, but progressively got worse
A bit of misokinesia developed
Caused problems concentrating and anxiety
and stress
Learned some tricks to cope

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

(OCD)
Neurological disorder
Not a lot is known about the exact causes
Possibly genetic. Regularly seen in the
children of those with OCD
1-3% of American children and adults
(Anxiety affects 18% of population)

Symptoms of OCD
Obsessions (persistent thoughts and
feelings) that are dealt with via compulsions
(ritualistic and repetitive behavior)

OCD Obsessions

Fear of germs
Fear of saying/doing evil/sinful things
Fear of bad things happening
Fear of harming others or self
Perfectionism

OCD Compulsions
Avoidance of germs or potentially
contaminated items or conditions
Frequent confessions
Repetitively checking locks and appliances
Repetitively rearrangement of items
Hoarding
Isolation and avoidance of the public

Secondary Problems

Depression
Anxiety
Frustration
Anger
Rage
Violence (acted or imagined)

Recognition in the Classroom

Indecisive and slow to accomplish tasks

Avoids touching class materials
Washes hands excessively
Stubborn (to point of perfection)
Distracted
Repeats words, sounds, and music
Irritable and erratic mood swings
Plagued by anxiety and stress
Difficulty with long assignments

What to do as a Teacher
Mimicry: discuss issues with students and talk about
their coping methods (personal coping for misophonia)
Provide direct organization instruction
Model how to break up assignments into little pieces
Suggest a safe buddy who understands the situation
and can help with coping and studying

What to do as a Teacher
Avoid answering repetitive questions
Assign projects instead of allowing a choice in project
Limit the students time in front of the class
o

personal presentations

less board work

less calling upon

What to do as a Teacher
Extra or separate testing time or separate testing area
Allow lunch to be eaten in the classroom
Provide seating near teacher
Allow them to leave class first (prevent touching germs

on the door)
Educate class (with parental and student consent)

What to do as a Teacher
Connect the student with outside resources that
they may find helpful.

Most importantly:
Dont judge, be supportive!

Resources

http://www.ocdeducationstation.org/
http://www.worrywisekids.org/
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/student-assessment-tools/27648-sound-sensitivity-in-school-aged-childrenmisophonia/
http://www.freespirit.com/files/OTHER/TKWMHLD_pp50-56.pdf
http://www.education.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OCD-2.17.06.pdf
http://lcps.k12.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Teaching-Students-who-are-Gifted-and-ObsessiveCompulsive-Disorder.pdf
http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2011-11-28-teachers-guide-ocd-classroom
http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2011-11-28-teachers-guide-helping-kids-ocd
http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23805089
Edelstein, Miren, David Brang, Romke Rouw, and Vilayanur S. Ramachandran. "Misophonia: Physiological
Investigations and Case Descriptions." Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 7 (2013): n. pag. PubMed. Web. 10
Oct. 2014. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23805089>.