lesson 11 OCD symptoms

Question 1

ocd diagnosis

Answer 1

-anxiety disorder
-characterised by DSM-V as a disorder whereby the patient shows repetitive behaviour/compulsions and obsessive thinking

Question 2

behavioural characterisitcs of ocd

Answer 2

Compulsive behaviours- performed to reduce the anxiety created by obsessions, repetitive and unconcealed, includes mental acts, patients feel they must complete these actions otherwise something dreadful might happen and this creates anxiety, some patients experience compulsions without obsessions, behaviours are external components that can be seen by others
Hinder everyday functioning- obsessive thoughts/ideas can lead to compulsive and repetitive behaviourrhat can seriously hinder the ability to perform everyday functions
Social impairment- anxiety levels may become so high that person is unable to conduct meaningful interpersonal relationships
Repetitive- sufferers feel compelled to repeat behaviours as a response to their obsessive thoughts, ideas and images
Avoidance- attempt to reduce their anxiety by avoiding situations that might trigger it

Question 3

emotional characteristics of ocd

Answer 3

Anxiety and distress- obsessions and compulsions are a source of considerable anxiety and distress, sufferers are aware that their obsessions and behaviours are obsessive and this causes feelings of embarrassment and shame, might also be aware they they cannot consciously control their comulsive behaviours which leads to strong feelings of distress
Accompanying depression- ocd often accompanied by depression, anxiety might be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment of activities, compulsive behaviours tend to bring some relief from anxiety but this is temporary
Guilt and disgust- sometimes involves other emotions such as irrational guilt over minor issues or disgust which may be directed against something external like dirt or themself

Question 4

cognitive characteristics of ocd

Answer 4

Obsessions- recurrent intrusive thoughts that are percevied as inappropriate, may be frightening or embarrassing and person may not want to share them with others, commmon obsessions include ideas, doubts, impulses, images, they are not excessive worries about everyday problems instead they are uncontrollable and cause anxiety, persom will realise their obsessions are unreasonable
Recognised as self generated- most sufferers understand that their obsessional thoughts, impulses and images are self invented and are not inserted externally by others
Realisation of inappropriateness- most sufferers understand their obsessive thoughts and comulsive behaviours are inappropriate and irrational but they cannot consciously control or stop them
Attention bias- perception tends to be focused on anxiety generating stimuli, sufferer might pay more attention to stimuli that creates anxiety, tend to be hyper vigilant and tend to look for things that will justify their high anxiety levels