OCD

Question 1

What is OCD?

Answer 1

A condition characterised by obsessions and compulsive behaviour.

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 2

• compulsions are repetitive: people with OCD often feel the need to repeat behaviours
• Compulsions reducing anxiety. Compulsions are often in response to a fear and therefore reduce it
• Avoidance. People with OCD try to keep away from situations that may trigger their OCD

Question 3

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 3

• Anxiety and distress
• accompanying depression
• Guilt and disgust

Question 4

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 4

• obsessive thoughts
• cognitive coping strategies such as meditating or prayer
• excessive anxiety ( people with OCD are aware that their fears are irrational however, they think of worst case scenarios to justify them)