Criteria for diagnosis of OCD

Question 1

Explain the diagnosis of OCD

Answer 1

To be diagnosed with OCD you would have to meet the following criteria which comes from the ICD 10 (international classification of diseases) or DSM IV (diagnostic and statistical manual). These are manuals which hold the criteria to diagnose all mental disorders. They are used by psychiatrists etc.

-Either obsessions or compulsions (or both) are present on most days for a period of at least two weeks.
-Obsessions and compulsions share the following features all of which must be present:
The person is aware that the obsessions and/or compulsions are in their own mind and not imposed by outside persons or influences.
The obsessions and compulsions are repetitive and unpleasant - at least one obsession or compulsion is acknowledged as excessive or unreasonable by the person.
The person tried to resist the obsessions or compulsions - at least one obsession or compulsion that has been unsuccessfully resisted must be present
Experiencing the obsessive thought or carrying out the compulsive act is not in itself pleasurable.
- The obsessions or compulsions cause distress or interfere with the patients social or individual functioning, usually by wasting time.
-The obsessions or compulsions are not the result of other mental disorders e.g. mood disorders.