OCD Flashcards

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1
Q

What is OCD?

A
  • An anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from both obsession and compulsions.
  • Compulsions are a response to obsessions and person believes compulsions will reduce anxiety.
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2
Q

Behavioural Characteristics of OCD

A
  • Compulsions;
    1. Repetitive
    2. Reduce anxiety - 10% of sufferers show compulsions alone with no obsessions just a sense of irrational anxiety. For vast majority, compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage anxiety produced by obsessions.
  • Avoidance - attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it. Can lead to people avoiding very ordinary situations and can interfere with normal life.
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3
Q

Emotional Characteristics of OCD

A
  • Anxiety and Distress - obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening and anxiety can be overwhelming. Urge to repeat behaviour creates anxiety.
  • Accompanying depression - anxiety accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment. Compulsive behaviour brings relief from anxiety but this is not permanent.
  • Guilt and Disgust - irrational guilt over minor moral issues or disgust which may be directed at something external or at the self.
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4
Q

Cognitive Characteristics of OCD

A
  • Obsessive thoughts - thoughts that occur over and over again. Vary from person to person. Always unpleasant.
  • Cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions - obsessions are major cognitive aspect of OCD but some respond by adopting cognitive coping strategies. May help manage anxiety but can make person appear abnormal and distract from everyday tasks.
  • Insight into excessive anxiety - obsessions and compulsions are not rational. Necessity for diagnosis. If irrational thoughts were truly believed it would be schizophrenia. OCD sufferers experience catastrophic thoughts about worse case scenarios.
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