Obsessive compulsive disorder

Question 1

OCD

Answer 1

OCD: characterised by obsessions or compulsions. most people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions

Question 2

behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 2

Compulsions are repetitive: people with OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour. e.g. handwashing , praying, tidying etc

compulsions reduce anxiety: only 10% of people with OCD have compulsive behaviour alone, just an irrational sense of anxiety. BUT for the majority, compulsive behaviour are done to try an control anxiety produced by obsessions.

e.g. handwashing in response to fear of germs

avoidance: avoiding to attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it. people with OCD try and manage their OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety. e.g. people who wash compulsively may avoid coming in contact with germs

but this can lead to avoiding ordinary situations which can interfere with ordinary life.

Question 3

emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 3

anxiety and distress: OCD seen as a particular unpleasant emotional experience due to powerful anxiety that accompanied both obsessions and compulsions. the urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety

accompanying depression: OCD often accompanied with depression so anxiety can be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities. Compulsive behaviour tends to bring a sense of relief from anxiety - just temporary

guilt and disgust: OCD involves negative emotions such as irrational guilt e.g. over minor moral issues, or disgust which may be directed against something external like dirt or at the self

Question 4

cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 4

obsessive thoughts: 90% of people w OCD the main cognitive feature is obsessive thoughts which recur over and over.

cognitive coping strategies - obsessions are the major cognitive aspect of OCD people also adopt cognitive coping strategies. e.g. religious person tormented with obsessive thoughts may pray to help. this may help but can make them look abnormal to others and can distract them from everyday tasks.

insight into excessive anxiety: people w OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational. this is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD. if someone believed that their obsessive thoughts were based on reality that would be a different mental disorder

But, people with OCD experience bad thoughts about worst case situations that may be able to justify their anxiety. they are also very vigilant keeping attention of potential hazards