Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What does OCD stand for?

A

OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?

A

Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is a condition characterised by obsessions and/or compulsive behaviours. Most people with a diagnosis of OCD have both obsessions and compulsions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How does the DSM-5 categorise obsessive behaviour?

A

The DSM-5 recognises OCD and a range of related disorders. What these disorders all have in common is repetitive behaviour accompanied by obsessive thinking.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The DSM-5 recognises OCD and a range of related disorders. List these disorders.

A
  • OCD
  • Trichotillomania
  • Hoarding disorder
  • Excoriation disorder
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

OCD is characterised by obsessions and compulsions. Give an example of an obsession.

A

Recurring thoughts or images

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

OCD is characterised by obsessions and compulsions. Give an example of a compulsion.

A

Repetitive behaviours such as hand washing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is trichotillomania?

A

Trichotillomania refers to compulsive hair pulling.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a hoarding disorder?

A

A hoarding disorder refers to the compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything, regardless of its value.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is excoriation disorder?

A

Excoriation disorder refers to compulsive skin picking.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the two behavioural characteristics of OCD?

A
  • Compulsions

- Avoidance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Compulsions act as a behavioural characteristic of OCD. What is a compulsion?

A

The behavioural component of OCD is compulsive behaviour. There are two elements of compulsive behaviours:

  • Compulsions are repetitive
  • Compulsions reduce anxiety
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Compulsive behaviour is divided into two elements, the first being that compulsions are repetitive. How does this present itself?

A

Compulsions are repetitive:

Typically sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour. A common example is hand washing. Other common compulsive repetitions include counting, praying and ordering group of objects.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

As well as being repetitive, compulsions can also reduce anxiety. Explain how.

A

Compulsions reduce anxiety:

Around 10% of sufferers of OCD show compulsive behaviour alone (they have no obsessions). However, for the vast majority compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage anxiety produced by obsessions. For example, compulsive hand washing is carried out as a response to an obsessive fear of germs. Compulsive checking, for example that a door is locked, is in response to the obsessive thought that it might have been left insecure.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Avoidance is the second behavioural characteristic of OCD. How does this present itself in a sufferer of OCD?

A

The behaviour of OCD sufferers may also be characterised by their avoidance as they attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it. Sufferers of OCD tend to try to manage their OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety. For example, sufferers who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with germs. However, this avoidance can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations, such as emptying their rubbish bins. As a result, avoidance can interfere with leading a ‘normal’ life.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the three emotional characteristics of OCD?

A
  • Anxiety and distress
  • Accompanying depression
  • Guilt and disgust
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Anxiety and distress are examples of emotional characteristics of OCD. How does this negatively impact a sufferer of OCD?

A

OCD is regarded as a particularly unpleasant emotional experience because pf the powerful anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening, and the anxiety that goes with these can be overwhelming. The urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety.

17
Q

Depression is an example of an emotional characteristic of OCD. How does this present itself in someone suffering with OCD?

A

OCD is 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.

18
Q

Guilt and disgust are emotional characteristics of OCD. How do these negatively impact OCD sufferers?

A

As well as anxiety and depression, OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions such as irrational guilt.

19
Q

How are cognitive characteristics impacted by OCD?

A

The cognitive approach is concerned with the ways in which people process information. People suffering from OCD are usually plagued with obsessive thoughts but they also adopt cognitive strategies to deal with these.

20
Q

What are the three cognitive characteristics of OCD?

A
  • Obsessive thoughts
  • Cognitive strategies
  • Awareness of excessive anxiety
21
Q

OCD sufferers usually experience obsessive thoughts. How does this present itself?

A

For around 90% of OCD sufferers the major cognitive feature of their condition is obsessive thoughts. These vary considerably from person to person but are always unpleasant. Examples of recurring thoughts are worries of being contaminated by germs or certainty that a door has been left unlocked and that intruders will enter through it.

22
Q

OCD sufferers develop cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions. How does this impact an individual?

A

Obsessions are the major cognitive aspect of OCD, but people also respond by adopting cognitive coping strategies. For example, a religious person tormented by obsessive guilt may respond by praying or meditating. This may help manage anxiety but can make the person appear abnormal to others and can distract them from everyday tasks.

23
Q

People with OCD present an awareness of excessive anxiety. How does this present itself?

A

People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational. This is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD. If someone really believed their obsessive thoughts were based on reality that would be a symptom of a quite different form of mental disorder. However, in spite of this insight, OCD sufferers experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenario that might result in their anxieties were justified. They also tend to be hyper vigilant (they maintain constant alertness and keep attention focussed on potential hazards.