obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Flashcards
what is OCD?
it is characterised by either obsessions (recurring thoughts, images ect) and/ or compulsions (repetitive behaviours such as hand washing)
most people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions
what are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
•obsessive thoughts
•cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions
•insight into excessive anxiety
what are obsessive thoughts?
thoughts that recur over and over again, they are usually unpleasant
90% of OCD sufferers have obsessive thoughts as a major feature of their condition
what are cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions?
strategies lead to compulsive, repetitive behaviours which are designed to reduce anxiety
what is an insight into excessive anxiety?
people suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational. despite this, they still experience catastrophic thoughts about worse case scenarios that might result if their anxieties did come true.
this self awareness is what separates them from other disorders like psychosis .
what are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
•anxiety and distress
•accompanying depression
•guilt and disgust
what is anxiety and distress?
they experience severe anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions. obsessive thoughts can also be unpleasant and cause excessive distress/ be overwhelming.
the urge to repeat a behaviour (a compulsion) creates anxiety
what is accompanying depression?
OCD is often accompanied by depression, so anxiety can be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities. compulsive behaviour tends to bring some relief from anxiety but this is temporary.
what is guilt and disgust?
as well as anxiety and depression, OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions such as irrational guilt (for example over minor moral issues) or disgust (which may be directed at something external like dirt or at the self)
what are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
•compulsions
•avoidance
what are compulsions?
•compulsions are repetitive
typically suffers feel compelled to repeat a behaviour, and they can’t usually control this behaviour
•compulsions reduce anxiety.
around 10% of sufferers show compulsive behaviour alone with no obsessions.
e.g. compulsive hand washing is carried out as a response to an obsessive fear of germs
what is avoidance?
they may attempt to avoid anxiety by avoiding situations that trigger it.
eg. those that are germaphobic may avoid door handles or even the outdoors
this avoidance behaviour can be detrimental for daily life
