characteristics of OCD Flashcards
DSM-5 categories
All these disorders have repetitive behaviour accompanied by obsessive thinking
OCD
Obsessions or compulsions
- Most people with a diagnosis of OCD have both
Compulsions are repetitive
Feel compelled to repeat a behaviour eg hand washing
Compulsions reduce anxiety
10% show compulsive behaviour alone - no obsessions - instead irrational anxiety
Compulsive behaviours performed to manage anxiety produced by obsessions
Avoidance
They attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it
- Manage OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety eg avoiding germs for hand washing
Cycle
Temporary relief - obsessive thought - anxiety - compulsive behaviour
Anxiety and distress
- Unpleasant emotional experience - powerful anxiety - obsessions and compulsions
- Obsessive thoughts - unpleasant and frightening
- Anxiety goes with these
Accompanying depression
- OCD often accompanied by depression
- Anxiety can be accompanied by low mood
- Compulsions - only temporary relief
Guilt and depression
- Irrational guilt, disgust - over minor moral issues
Cognitive characteristics of OCD
- Cognitive approach - way in which people process information
- Plagued with obsessive thoughts
- Adopt cognitive strategies to deal with these
Obsessive thoughts
- 90% - obsessive thoughts
- Vary from person to person - always unpleasant
Cognitive coping strategies
- Obsessions - major aspect
- Respond by adopting cognitive copying strategies to deal with obsessions
- Help manage anxiety but can make the person appear abnormal to others and can distract them from everyday tasks
Insight into excessive anxiety
- They are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational
- If believed obsessive thoughts were based on reality - different form of mental disorder
- People with OCD experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified
- Tend to be hypervigilant - maintain constant alterness
behavioural characteristics of OCD
compulsions are repetitive
compulsions reduce anxiety
avoidance
emotional characteristics of OCD
anxiety and distress
accompanying depression
guilt and disgust