Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Flashcards
Definition
OCD is characterised by obsessions and compulsions
Obsessions definition
- Obsessions are unwanted and uncontrolled thoughts and intrusive images that the person finds it very difficult to ignore.
- E.g an overwhelming fear of contamination with dirt or germs or violent or explicit images that keep appearing in their mind.
Compulsions definition
- Repetitive actions the person feels they must do, generating anxiety if they are not done. Often these compulsions are a way for the person to handle the obsessions.
- E.g, checking that all electrical equipment is turned off to settle the anxiety of obsessing about the house burning down. This is a normal behaviour, but in OCD the person may check every plug in the house 10 times before being able to go to sleep or leave.
Cycle of OCD
- The obsessions lead to anxiety, which leads to the compulsive behaviour, which leads to a temporary improvement in the anxiety. Shortly after the temporary improvement in anxiety the obsession reappears, leading to further anxiety, further compulsive behaviour with a temporary relief.
Associated conditions
OCD is strongly related to other mental health issues:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Autistic spectrum disorder
- Phobias
Risk factors
Family history
Age: 10-20 years
Pregnancy/postnatal period
History of abuse, bullying, neglect
Diagnositic criteria
Y-BOCS.
- 8 - 15 = Mild OCD,
- 16 - 23 = Moderate OCD,
- 24 - 31 = Severe OCD,
- 32 - 40 = extremely severe OCD.
Management
Mild: low intensity psychological treatment
- CBT
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
Moderate: SSRI (FL drug) or more intensive CBT
- Fluoxetine specifically for body dysmorphic disorder
- Clomipramine = alternative to FL
Severe: refer to secondary care mental health team