Lesson 11: Characteristics Of OCD

Question 1

What is OCD?

Answer 1

• an anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from both obsessions and compulsions. Compulsions are a response to obsessions and the person believes that compulsions will reduce anxiety.

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 2

Compulsions, avoidance

Question 3

Compulsions

Answer 3

1. Compulsions are repetitive for example, handwashing, praying, tidying
2. Compulsions reduce anxiety for example, compulsive handwashing is carried out as a response to an obsessive fear of germs

Question 4

Avoidance

Answer 4

• attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it. For example, those individuals who compulsively wash their hands may void coming into contact with germs by avoiding everyday tasks, such as emptying their rubbish bins or changing a baby’s nappy

Question 5

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 5

Anxiety and stress, accompanying depression, guilt and disgust

Question 6

Anxiety and stress

Answer 6

• powerful anxiety accompanies both obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts are frightening and the urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety

Question 7

Accompanying depression

Answer 7

• OCD is often accompanied by depression, so OCD can be accompanied by low mood and a lack of enjoyment in activities. Compulsive behaviour may bring some relief from anxiety but often only on a temporary basis.

Question 8

Guilt and disgust

Answer 8

• OCD may involve other negative emotions, such as irrational guilt or disgust which may be directed at external objects (e.g. dirt) or themselves

Question 9

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Answer 9

Obsessive thoughts, cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions, insight into excessive anxiety

Question 10

Obsessive thoughts

Answer 10

• for around 90% of OCD sufferers, the major cognitive feature of their condition is obsessive thoughts i.e. thoughts that recur over and over again. These vary from person to person but are always unpleasant for example, being worried about being contaminated by germs or dirt.

Question 11

Cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions

Answer 11

• people respond to obsessions by adopting cognitive coping strategies. For example,a religious person who is experiencing obsessive guilt may turn to prayer or meditation as a method of coping. This may help to manage anxiety but may appear odd to others and /or impact their daily lives,

Question 12

Insight into excessive anxiety

Answer 12

• people with OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational but in spite of this insight, sufferers experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result if their anxieties are justified. They also tend to be hyper-vigilant to keep focused on potential hazards.