OCD

Question 1

Behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 1

Compulsions are repetitive
Compulsions reduce anxiety
Avoidance

Question 2

What does Compulsions are repetitive mean?

Answer 2

Compulsion- being forced to do something

Ocd- compulsions to repeat behaviour.

Question 3

What are compulsions that reduce anxiety mean?

Answer 3

10% of people with ocd only show compulsive behaviours
No obsessions just general anxiety
For most compulsive behaviours are a way or managing anxiety produced by obsessions.
E.G hand washing is a response to obsessive fear of germs.

Question 4

What is Avoidance?

Answer 4

Avoiding anxiety inducing situations= less anxiety

Ocd is managed by avoiding triggering situations

Question 5

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 5

Anxiety and distress
Accompanying depression
Guilt and disgust

Question 6

What is anxiety and distress?

Answer 6

Particularly unpleasant emotional experience
Powerful anxiety that comes with both obsessions and compulsions
Obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and can be frightening
Anxiety can be overwhelming
Urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety

Question 7

What is accompanying depression?

Answer 7

OCD and depression often co-occur
can be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities
compulsive behaviour brings some relief of anxiety (temporary)

Question 8

What is guilt and disgust?

Answer 8

Irrational guilt over minor moral issues

Disgust directed at something external or the self

Question 9

What are the cognitive factors for OCD?

Answer 9

Obsessive thoughts
Cognitive coping strategies
Insight to excessive anxiety

Question 10

What are obsessive thoughts?

Answer 10

90% of ocd sufferers
Thoughts that reoccur over and over
Vary on person to person but always unpleasant

Question 11

What are cognitive coping strategies?

Answer 11

Adaptions to deal with obsessive thoughts
Religious person obsessed with guilt may prey and meditate
Helps to manage anxiety
Can make the person appear abnormal to others

Question 12

What is insight to obsessive anxiety?

Answer 12

Awareness that obsessions and compulsions are irrational
Necessary for ocd diagnosis
Despite insight still experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenario
Tend to be hyperviligant (maintain alertness and focus on potential hazards)