4.4.1 Characteristics of OCD

Question 1

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Answer 1

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder and is characterised by experiencing persistent and intrusive thoughts which occur as obsessions, compulsions or sometimes both.

Question 2

What are obsessions?

Answer 2

Obsessions: Cognitive internal intrusive thoughts e.g. there are germs everywhere and they could harm me.

Question 3

What are compulsions?

Answer 3

Compulsions: Behavioural external repetitive behaviours e.g. I need to wash my hands each time I touch something to avoid the germs and getting ill.

Question 4

What are the 3 symptom characteristics of OCD?

Answer 4

/Behavioural
/Emotional
/Cognitive

Question 5

Explain behavioural characteristics?

Answer 5

Compulsions: this is the largest behavioural characteristic as they account for more than one behavioural characteristic: /Compulsions are repetitive and time-consuming, they can stop the person suffering from OCD from continuing their daily life, E.g. Having to wash your hands 7 times in a row could easily make you late for college or work. Compulsions reduce anxiety and the repetitive behaviour is often performed to reduce the anxiety of the person suffering from OCD.

Question 6

Explain emotional characteristics?

Answer 6

/Extreme anxiety: The person suffering from OCD is likely to suffer from extreme levels of anxiety, obsessive thoughts (which are often frightening and overwhelming) and the compulsions that cause the sufferer anxiety and distress
/Guilt: Often those suffering from OCD, can also have other negative emotions against themselves, such as feeling guilt over a situation or being disgusted with themselves
/Depression: Often those suffering from OCD, can also suffer from depression and experience low mood plus a lack of enjoyment of activities, brought on by the compulsions and obsessions

Question 7

Explain cognitive characteristics?

Answer 7

/Obsessive thoughts: The majority of people suffering from OCD have obsessive thoughts. This is when they have thoughts that reoccur over and over again and are often intrusive
/Obsessive actions: The person suffering from OCD will often have to perform these obsessive actions to allow them to continue with their day
/Excessive anxiety: The sufferer of OCD understands that these thoughts and actions are irrational but they cannot stop them, however, even though they understand they are irrational