4.2: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Flashcards
OCD
OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by:
- Persistent, recurrent, unpleasant thoughts (obsessions)
- Repetitive, ritualistic behaviours (compulsions)
OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by persistent, recurrent, unpleasant thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualistic behaviours (compulsions).
What is the OCD cycle?
The OCD cycle is:
Obsessions —> Anxiety —> Compulsions —> Relief —> Obsessions
OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by persistent, recurrent, unpleasant thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualistic behaviours (compulsions).
The OCD cycle is Obsessions —> Anxiety —> Compulsions —> Relief —> Obsessions.
What are obsessions?
Obsessions are persistent, recurrent, unpleasant thoughts that lead to anxiety
OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by persistent, recurrent, unpleasant thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualistic behaviours (compulsions).
The OCD cycle is Obsessions —> Anxiety —> Compulsions —> Relief —> Obsessions.
What are compulsions?
Compulsions are repetitive, ritualistic behaviours
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is compulsive hair-pulling
Hoarding disorder
Hoarding disorder is:
- The compulsive gathering of possessions
- The inability to part with anything, regardless of its value
Excoriation disorder
Excoriation disorder is compulsive skin-picking
What do obsessions comprise?
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that:
- Are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden
- Aren’t based on reality
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
Example
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to what?
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
What do compulsions comprise of?
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform:
- Tasks
- Behaviours
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
Example
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs.
What are the compulsions an attempt to do?
The compulsions are an attempt to:
1. Reduce distress
Or,
2. Prevent feared events
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs.
The compulsions are an attempt to reduce distress or prevent feared events, even though what?
The compulsions are an attempt to: 1. Reduce distress Or, 2. Prevent feared events ,even though there's little chance of them doing so
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs.
The compulsions are an attempt to reduce distress or prevent feared events, even though there’s little chance of them doing so.
What do most sufferers realise?
Most sufferers realise that their obsessive ideas and compulsions are:
- Excessive
- Inappropriate
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs.
The compulsions are an attempt to reduce distress or prevent feared events, even though there’s little chance of them doing so.
Most sufferers realise that their obsessive ideas and compulsions are excessive and inappropriate, but cannot do what?
Most sufferers realise that their obsessive ideas and compulsions are:
1. Excessive
2. Inappropriate
,but cannot consciously control them
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs.
The compulsions are an attempt to reduce distress or prevent feared events, even though there’s little chance of them doing so.
Most sufferers realise that their obsessive ideas and compulsions are excessive and inappropriate, but cannot consciously control them, resulting in what?
Most sufferers realise that their obsessive ideas and compulsions are:
1. Excessive
2. Inappropriate
,but cannot consciously control them, resulting in even higher levels of anxiety
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs.
The compulsions are an attempt to reduce distress or prevent feared events, even though there’s little chance of them doing so.
Most sufferers realise that their obsessive ideas and compulsions are excessive and inappropriate, but cannot consciously control them, resulting in even higher levels of anxiety.
What can sufferers also realise?
Sufferers can also realise that their compulsions are only a temporary solution
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs.
The compulsions are an attempt to reduce distress or prevent feared events, even though there’s little chance of them doing so.
Most sufferers realise that their obsessive ideas and compulsions are excessive and inappropriate, but cannot consciously control them, resulting in even higher levels of anxiety.
Sufferers can also realise that their compulsions are only a temporary solution, but have no other way of doing what?
Sufferers can also realise that their compulsions are only a temporary solution, but have no other way of coping
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs.
The compulsions are an attempt to reduce distress or prevent feared events, even though there’s little chance of them doing so.
Most sufferers realise that their obsessive ideas and compulsions are excessive and inappropriate, but cannot consciously control them, resulting in even higher levels of anxiety.
Sufferers can also realise that their compulsions are only a temporary solution, but have no other way of coping, so rely on them as what?
Sufferers can also realise that their compulsions are only a temporary solution, but have no other way of coping, so rely on them as a short-term solution
Obsessions comprise intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden and aren’t based on reality.
For example, being convinced that germs lurk everywhere, which leads to feelings of extreme anxiety.
Compulsions comprise of intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours.
For example, washing your hands repetitively to get rid of germs.
The compulsions are an attempt to reduce distress or prevent feared events, even though there’s little chance of them doing so.
Most sufferers realise that their obsessive ideas and compulsions are excessive and inappropriate, but cannot consciously control them, resulting in even higher levels of anxiety.
Sufferers can also realise that their compulsions are only a temporary solution, but have no other way of coping, so rely on them as a short-term solution.
What can compulsions also include?
Compulsions can also include avoiding situations that trigger obsessive ideas
What can the symptoms of OCD do?
The symptoms of OCD can overlap with other conditions
The symptoms of OCD can overlap with other conditions, such as what?
The symptoms of OCD can overlap with other conditions, such as:
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Autism
The symptoms of OCD can overlap with other conditions, such as Tourette’s syndrome and autism.
What has this led some to do?
This has led some to question whether OCD really exists as a separate disorder
A sufferer’s obsessions and compulsions become very time-consuming, thus doing what?
A sufferer’s:
1. Obsessions
2. Compulsions
become very time-consuming, thus interfering with the ability to conduct everyday activities
A sufferer’s obsessions and compulsions become very time-consuming, thus interfering with the ability to conduct everyday activities.
OCD occurs in about 2% of the population, with no gender differences in what?
OCD occurs in about 2% of the population, with no gender differences in the prevalence of the disorder
A sufferer’s obsessions and compulsions become very time-consuming, thus interfering with the ability to conduct everyday activities.
OCD occurs in about 2% of the population, with no gender differences in the prevalence of the disorder, but what are there gender differences in?
OCD occurs in about 2% of the population, with no gender differences in the prevalence of the disorder, but there are gender differences in the types of OCD suffered
A sufferer’s obsessions and compulsions become very time-consuming, thus interfering with the ability to conduct everyday activities.
OCD occurs in about 2% of the population, with no gender differences in the prevalence of the disorder, but there are gender differences in the types of OCD suffered.
What are more common in females?
Preoccupations with:
1. Contamination
2. Cleaning
are more common in females
A sufferer’s obsessions and compulsions become very time-consuming, thus interfering with the ability to conduct everyday activities.
OCD occurs in about 2% of the population, with no gender differences in the prevalence of the disorder, but there are gender differences in the types of OCD suffered.
Preoccupations with contamination and cleaning are more common in females, while what do males focus more on?
- Preoccupations with contamination and cleaning are more common in females
,while - Males focus more on religious and sexual obsessions
A sufferer’s obsessions and compulsions become very time-consuming, thus interfering with the ability to conduct everyday activities.
OCD occurs in about 2% of the population, with no gender differences in the prevalence of the disorder, but there are gender differences in the types of OCD suffered.
Preoccupations with contamination and cleaning are more common in females, while males focus on religious and sexual obsessions.
Why is OCD more common among male children than females?
OCD is more common among male children than females, because males tend to have an earlier, gradual onset with more severe symptoms
A sufferer’s obsessions and compulsions become very time-consuming, thus interfering with the ability to conduct everyday activities.
OCD occurs in about 2% of the population, with no gender differences in the prevalence of the disorder, but there are gender differences in the types of OCD suffered.
Preoccupations with contamination and cleaning are more common in females, while males focus on religious and sexual obsessions.
OCD is more common among male children than females, because males tend to have an earlier, gradual onset with more severe symptoms.
What do females generally have?
Females generally have a later, sudden onset with fewer symptoms
What are the behavioural characteristics of obsessions?
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are:
- Avoidance
- Hindered everyday functioning
- Social impairment
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Compulsive behaviour:
How many elements are there to compulsive behaviour?
There are 2 elements to compulsive behaviour:
- Compulsions are repetitive
- Compulsions reduce anxiety
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Compulsive behaviour:
There are 2 elements to compulsive behaviour - Compulsions are repetitive and compulsions reduce anxiety.
Compulsions are repetitive:
Typically, what do sufferers of OCD feel compelled to do?
Typically, sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Compulsive behaviour:
There are 2 elements to compulsive behaviour - Compulsions are repetitive and compulsions reduce anxiety.
Compulsions are repetitive:
Typically, sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour.
What is a common example?
A common example is hand washing
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Compulsive behaviour:
There are 2 elements to compulsive behaviour - Compulsions are repetitive and compulsions reduce anxiety.
Compulsions are repetitive:
Typically, sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour.
A common example is hand washing.
What do other common compulsive repetitions include?
Other common compulsive repetitions include: 1. Counting 2. Tidying/ordering groups of objects Or, 3. Praying
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Compulsive behaviour:
There are 2 elements to compulsive behaviour - Compulsions are repetitive and compulsions reduce anxiety.
Compulsions are repetitive:
Typically, sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour.
A common example is hand washing.
Other common compulsive repetitions include counting, tidying/ordering groups of objects or praying.
Compulsions reduce anxiety:
What % of sufferers of OCD show compulsive behaviours alone?
Around 10% of sufferers of OCD show compulsive behaviours alone
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Compulsive behaviour:
There are 2 elements to compulsive behaviour - Compulsions are repetitive and compulsions reduce anxiety.
Compulsions are repetitive:
Typically, sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour.
A common example is hand washing.
Other common compulsive repetitions include counting, tidying/ordering groups of objects or praying.
Compulsions reduce anxiety:
Around 10% of sufferers of OCD show compulsive behaviours alone.
What does this mean?
This means that they have:
- No obsessions
- Just a general sense of irrational anxiety
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Compulsive behaviour:
There are 2 elements to compulsive behaviour - Compulsions are repetitive and compulsions reduce anxiety.
Compulsions are repetitive:
Typically, sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour.
A common example is hand washing.
Other common compulsive repetitions include counting, tidying/ordering groups of objects or praying.
Compulsions reduce anxiety:
Around 10% of sufferers of OCD show compulsive behaviours alone.
This means that they have no obsessions and just a general sense of irrational anxiety.
However, for the majority, why are compulsive behaviours performed?
For the majority, compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Compulsive behaviour:
There are 2 elements to compulsive behaviour - Compulsions are repetitive and compulsions reduce anxiety.
Compulsions are repetitive:
Typically, sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour.
A common example is hand washing.
Other common compulsive repetitions include counting, tidying/ordering groups of objects or praying.
Compulsions reduce anxiety:
Around 10% of sufferers of OCD show compulsive behaviours alone.
This means that they have no obsessions and just a general sense of irrational anxiety.
However, for the majority, compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions.
Example
For example:
- Compulsive hand washing is carried out as a response to an obsessive fear of germs
- Compulsive checking of doors is in response to the obsessive thought that it might have been left unsecured
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Avoidance:
Sufferers of OCD tend to try to manage their OCD by avoiding what situations?
Sufferers of OCD tend to try to manage their OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Avoidance:
Sufferers of OCD tend to try to manage their OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety.
Example
For example, sufferers who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with germs
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Avoidance:
Sufferers of OCD tend to try to manage their OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety.
For example, sufferers who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with germs.
However, what can this avoidance lead people to do?
This avoidance can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Avoidance:
Sufferers of OCD tend to try to manage their OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety.
For example, sufferers who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with germs.
However, this avoidance can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations, such as what?
This avoidance can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations, such as emptying their rubbish bins
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Avoidance:
Sufferers of OCD tend to try to manage their OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety.
For example, sufferers who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with germs.
However, this avoidance can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations, such as emptying their rubbish bins, and this can in itself do what?
This avoidance can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations, such as emptying their rubbish bins, and this can in itself interfere with leading a normal life
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
2. Hindered everyday functioning:
Having obsessive ideas of a forbidden or inappropriate type creates such anxiety that what?
Having obsessive ideas of a: 1. Forbidden Or, 2. Inappropriate type creates such anxiety that the ability to perform everyday functions is severely hindered
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
2. Hindered everyday functioning:
Having obsessive ideas of a forbidden or inappropriate type creates such anxiety that the ability to perform everyday functions is severely hindered.
Example
For example, being able to work effectively
The behavioural characteristics of obsessions are avoidance, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
3. Social impairment:
Anxiety levels generated are so high that what do they do?
Anxiety levels generated are so high that they limit the ability to conduct meaningful interpersonal relationships
What are the emotional characteristics of obsessions?
The emotional characteristics of obsessions are:
- Extreme anxiety and distress
- Accompanying depression
- Guilt and disgust
The emotional characteristics of obsessions are extreme anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guilt and disgust.
1. Extreme anxiety and distress:
Why is OCD regarded as a particularly unpleasant emotional experience?
OCD is regarded as a particularly unpleasant emotional experience, because of the powerful anxiety that accompanies both:
- Obsessions
- Compulsions
The emotional characteristics of obsessions are extreme anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guilt and disgust.
1. Extreme anxiety and distress:
OCD is regarded as a particularly unpleasant emotional experience, because of the powerful anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessive thoughts are what and the anxiety that goes with these can be overwhelming?
Obsessive thoughts are:
1. Unpleasant
2. Frightening
and the anxiety that goes with these can be overwhelming
The emotional characteristics of obsessions are extreme anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guilt and disgust.
1. Extreme anxiety and distress:
OCD is regarded as a particularly unpleasant emotional experience, because of the powerful anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening and the anxiety that goes with these can be overwhelming.
The urge to do what creates anxiety?
The urge to repeat a behaviour (a compulsion) creates anxiety
The emotional characteristics of obsessions are extreme anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guilt and disgust.
2. Accompanying depression:
OCD is often accompanied by depression, so what can anxiety be accompanied by?
OCD is often accompanied by depression, so anxiety can be accompanied by:
- Low mood
- Lack of enjoyment in activities
The emotional characteristics of obsessions are extreme anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guilt and disgust.
2. Accompanying depression:
OCD is often accompanied by depression, so anxiety can be accompanied by low mood and lack and enjoyment in activities.
Compulsive behaviour tends to bring some relief from anxiety, but what?
Compulsive behaviour tends to bring some relief from anxiety, but this is temporary
The emotional characteristics of obsessions are extreme anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guilt and disgust.
3. Guilt and disgust:
As well as anxiety and depression, what does OCD sometimes involve?
As well as:
1. Anxiety
2. Depression
,OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions
The emotional characteristics of obsessions are extreme anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guilt and disgust.
3. Guilt and disgust:
As well as anxiety and depression, OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions, such as what?
As well as anxiety and depression, OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions, such as:
1. Irrational guilt over minor moral issues
Or,
2. Disgust
The emotional characteristics of obsessions are extreme anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guilt and disgust.
3. Guilt and disgust:
As well as anxiety and depression, OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions, such as irrational guilt over minor moral issues or disgust, which may be directed against what?
As well as anxiety and depression, OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions, such as:
1. Irrational guilt over minor moral issues
Or,
2. Disgust, which may be directed against something external, like dirt, or at the self
What are the cognitive characteristics of obsessions?
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are:
- Recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts
- Cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions
- An insight into the excessive anxiety
- Recognised as self-generated
- Realisation of inappropriateness
- Attentional bias
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
1. Recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts:
For around 90% of OCD sufferers, what is the major cognitive feature of the condition?
For around 90% of OCD sufferers, the major cognitive feature of the condition is obsessive thoughts
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
1. Recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts:
For around 90% of OCD sufferers, the major cognitive feature of the condition is obsessive thoughts.
Sufferers experience constantly repeated obsessive thoughts and ideas of a what nature?
Sufferers experience constantly repeated:
- Obsessive thoughts
- Ideas of an intrusive nature
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
1. Recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts:
For around 90% of OCD sufferers, the major cognitive feature of the condition is obsessive thoughts.
Sufferers experience constantly repeated obsessive thoughts and ideas of an intrusive nature.
These vary considerably from person to person, but are always what?
These vary considerably from person to person, but are always unpleasant
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
1. Recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts:
For around 90% of OCD sufferers, the major cognitive feature of the condition is obsessive thoughts.
Sufferers experience constantly repeated obsessive thoughts and ideas of an intrusive nature.
These vary considerably from person to person, but are always unpleasant.
What are examples of recurring thoughts?
Examples of recurring thoughts are:
1. Certainty that a door has been left unlocked and that intruders will enter through it
Or,
2. Impulses to hurt someone
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
2. Cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions:
Obsessions are the major cognitive aspect of OCD, but how do people also respond?
Obsessions are the major cognitive aspect of OCD, but people also respond by adopting cognitive coping strategies
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
2. Cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions:
Obsessions are the major cognitive aspect of OCD, but people also respond by adopting cognitive coping strategies.
Example
For example, a religious person tormented by obsessive guilt may respond by:
1. Praying
Or,
2. Meditating
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
2. Cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions:
Obsessions are the major cognitive aspect of OCD, but people also respond by adopting cognitive coping strategies.
For example, a religious person tormented by obsessive guilt may respond by praying or meditating.
This may help manage anxiety, but can do what?
This may help manage anxiety, but can:
- Make the person appear abnormal to others
- Distract them from everyday tasks
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
3. An insight into the excessive anxiety:
People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not what?
People suffering from OCD are aware that their:
1. Obsessions
2. Compulsions
are not rational
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
3. An insight into the excessive anxiety:
People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational.
In fact, what?
In fact, this is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
3. An insight into the excessive anxiety:
People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational.
In fact, this is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD.
If someone really believed that their obsessive thoughts were based on reality, then what?
If someone really believed that their obsessive thoughts were based on reality, then that would be a symptom of a quite different form of mental disorder
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
3. An insight into the excessive anxiety:
People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational.
In fact, this is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD.
If someone really believed that their obsessive thoughts were based on reality, then that would be a symptom of a quite different form of mental disorder.
However, in spite of this insight, what do OCD sufferers experience?
In spite of this insight, OCD sufferers experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
3. An insight into the excessive anxiety:
People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational.
In fact, this is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD.
If someone really believed that their obsessive thoughts were based on reality, then that would be a symptom of a quite different form of mental disorder.
However, in spite of this insight, OCD sufferers experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified.
What do they also tend to be?
They also tend to be hypervigilant
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
3. An insight into the excessive anxiety:
People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational.
In fact, this is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD.
If someone really believed that their obsessive thoughts were based on reality, then that would be a symptom of a quite different form of mental disorder.
However, in spite of this insight, OCD sufferers experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified.
They also tend to be hypervigilant.
What does this mean?
This means that they:
- Maintain constant alertness
- Keep attention focused on potential hazards
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
4. Recognised as self-generated:
Most sufferers understand that their obsessional thoughts and impulses are what?
Most sufferers understand that their obsessional thoughts and impulses are self-invented
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
5. Realisation of inappropriateness:
Most sufferers understand that their obsessive thought are inappropriate, but they cannot consciously do what?
Most sufferers understand that their obsessive thought are inappropriate, but they cannot consciously control them
The cognitive characteristics of obsessions are recurrent, persistent and obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions, an insight into the excessive anxiety, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness and attentional bias.
6. Attentional bias:
What does perception tend to be focused on?
Perception tends to be focused on anxiety-generating stimuli
What do common obsessions include?
Common obsessions include;
- Contamination, for example by germs
- Fear of losing control, for example through impulses to hurt others
- Perfectionism, for example the fear of not being the best
- Religion, for example the fear of being immoral
What are the behavioural characteristics of compulsions?
The behavioural characteristics of compulsions are:
- Repetitive
- Hindered everyday functioning
- Social impairment
The behavioural characteristics of compulsions are repetitive, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
1. Repetitive:
What do sufferers feel compelled to do as a response to their obsessive thoughts?
Sufferers feel compelled to repeat behaviours as a response to their obsessive thoughts
The behavioural characteristics of compulsions are repetitive, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
2. Hindered everyday functioning:
What can the performance of repetitive, compulsive behaviours seriously disrupt?
The performance of repetitive, compulsive behaviours can seriously disrupt the ability to perform everyday functions
The behavioural characteristics of compulsions are repetitive, hindered everyday functioning and social impairment.
3. Social impairment:
The performance of repetitive, compulsive behaviours can seriously affect the ability to conduct what relationships?
The performance of repetitive, compulsive behaviours can seriously affect the ability to conduct meaningful interpersonal relationships
What is the emotional characteristic of compulsions?
The emotional characteristic of compulsions is distress
The emotional characteristic of compulsions is distress.
1. Distress:
What can lead to strong feelings of distress?
The recognition that compulsive behaviours cannot be consciously controlled can lead to strong feelings of distress
What are the cognitive characteristics of compulsions?
The cognitive characteristics of compulsions are:
- Uncontrollable urges
- Realisation of inappropriateness
The cognitive characteristics of compulsions are uncontrollable urges and realisation of inappropriateness.
1. Uncontrollable urges:
Sufferers experience uncontrollable urges to perform acts that they feel will reduce the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts, such as cleaning door handles to do what?
Sufferers experience uncontrollable urges to perform acts that they feel will reduce the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts, such as cleaning door handles to remove the threat of contamination
The cognitive characteristics of compulsions are uncontrollable urges and realisation of inappropriateness.
2. Realisation of inappropriateness:
Sufferers understand that their compulsions are inappropriate, but cannot consciously do what?
Sufferers understand that their compulsions are inappropriate, but cannot consciously control them
What do common compulsions include?
Common compulsions include:
- Excessive washing and cleaning, for example hair brushing
- Excessive checking, for example that doors are locked
- Repetition, for example of bodily movements
- Mental compulsions, for example praying in order to prevent harm
- Hoarding, for example of magazines
Research has suggested a what component to the cause of OCD?
Research has suggested a genetic component to the cause of OCD
Research has suggested a genetic component to the cause of OCD, but what?
Research has suggested a genetic component to the cause of OCD, but other psychological factors are also seen as making a contribution
