characteristics of OCD

Question 1

intro

Answer 1

• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), like phobias, is classified as an anxiety disorder (fear of losing control) and has two main components, obsessions and compulsions.

Question 2

types of OCD

Answer 2

• Washers are afraid of contamination. They usually have cleaning or hand-washing compulsions.

• Checkers repeatedly check things (oven turned off, door locked, etc.) that they associate with harm or danger.

• Doubters and sinners are afraid that if everything isn’t perfect or done just right something terrible will happen, or they will be punished.

• Counters and arrangers are obsessed with order and symmetry. They may have superstitions about certain numbers, colors, or arrangements.

• Hoarders fear that something bad will happen if they throw anything away. They compulsively hoard things that they don’t need or use. They may also suffer from other disorders, such as depression, PTSD, compulsive buying, kleptomania, ADHD, skin picking, or tic disorders.

Question 3

cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 3

Obsessive thoughts are the main cognitive feature of OCD.

• Intrusive thoughts and impulses.
• Frightening and embarrassing.
• Uncontrollable.

• Awareness:
• Sufferers of OCD know that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational.

Question 4

behavioural characteristics

Answer 4

Compulsive Behaviour
• Repetitive behaviour the sufferer feels compelled to complete.
• Physical or mental.

-Compulsions are used to manage or reduce anxiety.
-but not linked in a realistic way

Question 5

emotional characteristics

Answer 5

• Anxiety
• Caused by the obsession

• Embarrassment & Shame
• Awareness of excessive behaviour

• Depression
• Low mood and loss of pleasure caused by the anxiety