Lesson 11: Characteristics Of OCD Flashcards

1
Q

What is OCD?

A
  • 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.
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2
Q

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

A

Compulsions, avoidance

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3
Q

Compulsions

A
  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
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4
Q

Avoidance

A
  • 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
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5
Q

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

A

Anxiety and stress, accompanying depression, guilt and disgust

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6
Q

Anxiety and stress

A
  • powerful anxiety accompanies both obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts are frightening and the urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety
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7
Q

Accompanying depression

A
  • 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.
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8
Q

Guilt and disgust

A
  • OCD may involve other negative emotions, such as irrational guilt or disgust which may be directed at external objects (e.g. dirt) or themselves
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9
Q

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

A

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

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10
Q

Obsessive thoughts

A
  • 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.
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11
Q

Cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions

A
  • 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,
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12
Q

Insight into excessive anxiety

A
  • 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.
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