Lesson 11: The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of obsessive compulsive disorder:

Question 1

What are behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 1

Compulsive behaviours
Hider everyday functioning
Social impairment
Repetitive
Avoidance

Question 2

Explain the behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 2

1) Compulsive behaviours:
Compulsive behaviours are performed to reduce the anxiety created by obsessions. They are repetitive and unconcealed, such as hand washing or checking things. This could include mental acts such as praying or counting. Patients feel they must perform these actions otherwise something dreadful might happen, and this creates anxiety. Some patients experience compulsions without obsessions, such as they compulsively avoid certain objects such as the cracks in the pavement. The behaviours are external components that can be seen by others.

2) Hinder everyday functioning:
Having obsessive or forbidden/inappropriate ideas creates a great deal of anxiety. This could then lead to compulsions and repetitive behaviour (washing hands over and over again so the person is very late for work) that can seriously hinder the ability to perform everyday functions, for example the person might not be able to have a job and work effectively.

3) Social impairment:
The anxiety levels created by the obsessions, and the performance of repetitive, compulsive behaviour might become so high that the person might not be able to conduct meaningful interpersonal relationships

4) Repetitive:
Sufferers feel compelled to repeat behaviours over and over again as a response to their obsessive thoughts, ideas and images. For example they might have obsessions about dirt and feel compelled to wash their hands over and over again

5) Avoidance:
Some OCD sufferers attempt to reduce their anxiety by avoiding situations that might trigger it. Sufferers who wash their hands continuously might avoid coming into contact with germs, so they might never empty their bins which can lead to further problems.

Question 3

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 3

Anxiety and distress
Accompanying depression
Guilt and disgust

Question 4

Explain the emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 4

1) Anxiety and distress:
The obsessions and compulsions are a source of considerable anxiety and distress. Sufferers are aware that their obsessions and compulsive behaviour are excessive and this causes feelings of embarrassment and shame. Sufferers might also be aware that they cannot consciously control their compulsive behaviours which leads to strong feelings of distress.

2) Accompanying depression:
OCD is often accompanied by depression. Anxiety might be accompanied by low mood and a lack of enjoyment of activities. Compulsive behaviour tends to bring some relief from anxiety, but this is temporary.

3) Guilt and disgust:
OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions such as irrational guilt over minor issues, or disgust which may be directed against something external like dirt or the self.

Question 5

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 5

Obsessions
Recognised as self generated
Realisation of inappropriateness
Attention bias

Question 6

Explain the cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 6

1) Obsessions:
These are recurrent, intrusive thoughts or impulses that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden. They may be frightening or embarrassing and the person might not want to share them with others. Common obsessions or themes include ideas, doubts (have they checked the cooker is switched off?) impulses (to shout and swear in public) or images (sexual). These thoughts, impulses and images are not excessive worries about everyday problems; instead they are uncontrollable and cause anxiety. The person will realise that their obsessions are unreasonable. Obsessions are internal (because they are thoughts that occur internally inside the mind)

2) Recognised as self generated:
Most sufferers understand that their obsessional thoughts, impulses and images are self invented and are not inserted externally by others

3) Realisation of inappropriateness:
Most sufferers understand their obsessive thought and compulsive behaviours are inappropriate and irrational, but they cannot consciously control or stop them.

4) Attention bias:
Perception tends to be focused on anxiety generating stimuli. The sufferer might pay more attention to stimuli that creates anxiety, for instance a piece of dust on a table that has just been cleaned. They tend to be hyper vigilant and tend to look for things that will justify their high anxiety levels.