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How Does Culture Influence the Presentation of Obsessions and Compulsions in Individuals with OCD?

Mandy Simmons, PsyD

October 1, 2024

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Question

How does culture influence the presentation of obsessions and compulsions in individuals with OCD?

Answer

Culture significantly mediates the way obsessions and compulsions manifest in individuals with OCD. While the overall prevalence of OCD remains consistent across different cultures, the specific themes or types of obsessions and compulsions people experience may vary depending on cultural and religious contexts. For example, research has shown that thought suppression is more common in Turkey, while self-punishment tendencies are more frequently observed in countries like Canada. These variations reflect the broader socialization processes that shape how individuals respond to their intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. Understanding these cultural differences is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.

 

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), presented by Mandy Simmons, PsyD


mandy simmons

Mandy Simmons, PsyD

Dr. Simmons, PsyD obtained their doctorate of psychology in clinical psychology from the University of Denver in 2020 with a specialty focus in Psychological Assessment and Behavioral Analysis. They primarily conduct individual, group, and family therapy in a federally-funded, non-profit community mental health center in the state of Colorado. They also supervise students and provide consultation to private practices looking to further their competence in providing gender affirming psychotherapy, treatment for obsessive compulsive and related disorders, and acceptance and commitment therapy. 


Related Courses

Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Presented by Mandy Simmons, PsyD
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Presenter

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Course: #1920Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Enthusiasm and validity of treatment to decrease symptoms and enhance life experience'   Read Reviews
For generalists, the ability to effectively recognize OCD and know when to refer when it is outside the scope of what they are able to provide is an essential skill. This course will help clinicians both build confidence in recognizing and diagnosing OCD as well as develop essential tools for understanding evidence-based practice for treating OCD. The training will discuss the ethics of providing different modalities with OCD, as well as support the clinician's capacity for recognizing the symptom presentation. The training will also support clinicians in working functionally rather than becoming entrenched in content, a vital skill for any clinician.

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  'Instructor was knowledgeable and clearly explained info'   Read Reviews
This course will provide foundational knowledge for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB), the often overlooked, much stigmatized cousin of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This course will address common misconceptions about BFRBs, as well as support clinicians in enhancing their clinical skills in the diagnosis and treatment of BFRBs by discussing the use of habit reversal training, functional behavioral analysis, and the Comprehensive Behavioral Model (ComB), developed by Charles Mansueto.

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This course will discuss the ethical and clinical implications of utilizing interpreters when conducting gender-affirming psychotherapy for people whose primary language differs from the clinician, especially when the clinician’s primary language is English. The course assumes that attendees have a basic level of understanding of gender-affirming care for gender and sexual minorities (GSM). The presentation will address cultural and linguistic considerations, as well as recommendations for interprofessional collaboration, delivery of psychotherapy, and institutional-level policies for organizations. There will be brief recommendations for future research discussed, as well.

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