OCD Flashcards
what does OCD stand for
obsessive-compulsive disorder
OCD definition
a condition characterised by obsessions by obsessions and/or compulsive behaviour. obsessions are cognitive and compulsions are behavioural
behavioural definition
ways in which people act
emotional definition
related to a person’s feelings or mood
emotional definition
related to a person’s feelings or mood
cognitive definition
refers to the process of knowing including thinking, reasoning, remembering, believing
what have DSM recognised OCD and related disorders as
repetitive behaviour accompanied by obsessive thinking
what have the DSM categorised OCD into
-OCD- characterised by either obsessions (recurring thoughts, images etc) and/or compulsions (repetitive behvaiour such as handwashing. most people with diagnosis have both obsessions and compulsions
how have DSM categorised OCD into - OCD
-OCD-characterised by either obsessions (recurring thoughts, images etc) and/or compulsions (repetitive behvaiour such as handwashing. most people with diagnosis have both obsessions and compulsions
-trichotillomania- compulsive hair-pulling
-hoarding disorder - the compulsive gathering and the inability to part with anything, regardless of its value
-excoriation disorder- compulsive skin picking
how have DSM categorised OCD into trichotillomania
compulsive hair-pulling
how have DSM categorised OCD into hoarding disorder
the compulsive gathering and the inability to part with anything, regardless of its value
how have DSM categorised OCD into excoriation disorder
compulsive skin picking
what are the 3 behavioural characteristics of OCD
-compulsions are repetitive
-compulsions reduce anxiety
-avoidance
what are the 3 characteristics of OCD
-behavioural
-cognitive
-emotional
what is the behavioural component of OCD
compulsive behaviour which there are 2 elements of
what is compulsions are repetitive as a behavioural component of OCD
typically people with OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour. a common example is handwashing. other common compulsive repetitions include counting, praying and tidying/ordering objects such as CD collections or containers in a food cupboard
what is compulsions reduce anxiety as a behavioural characteristic of OCD
around 10% of people with OCD show compulsive behaviours alone - they have no obsessions, just a general sense of irrational anxiety. however, for the vast majority, compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions. for example, compulsive handwashing is carried out as a response to an obsessive fear of germs. compulsive checking, for example to see if the door is locked or a gas appliance is switched off, is in response to the obsessive thought that it might have left unsecured
what is avoidance as a behavioural characteristic of OCD
the behvaiour of people with OCD may also be characterised by their avoidance. as they attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away form situations that trigger it. People with OCD tend to try and manage their OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety. for example, people who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with germs. however, this avoidance can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations, such as emptying rubbish bins, and this in itself interfere with leading a regular life
what is the cycle of OCD
–> obsessive thought –> anxiety –> compulsive behaviour –> temporary relief –>
what are the 3 emotional characteristics of OCD
-anxiety and distress
-accompanying depression
- guilt and disgust
what is anxiety and distress as an emotional characteristic of OCD
OCD is regarded as a particularly unpleasant emotional experience because of 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 behaviour (a compulsion) creates anxiety
what is accompanying depression as a emotional characteristic of OCD
OCD is often accompanied by depression, so anxiety cab 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 emotional characteristic of OCD
as well as anxiety and depression, OCD sometimes involved other negative emotions such as irrational guilt, for example over minor issues, or disgust, which may be directed against something external like dirt or at the self
what is the cognitive approach concerned with for characteristics of OCD
concerned with the ways in which people with OCD are usually plagued with obsessive thoughts but they also adopt cognitive strategies to deal with these
what are obsessive thoughts as a characteristic of OCD
for around 90% of people with OCD the major cognitive feature of their condition is obsessive thoughts (occur over and over again) these vary considerably form person to person but are always unpleasant. examples of recurring thoughts are worries of being contaminated by dirt and germs, or a door has been unlocked and intruders will enter through it or even impulses to hurt someone
what are cognitive coping strategies as a cognitive characteristic of OCD
obsessions are the major cognitive aspect of OCD, but people respond by adopting cognitive coping strategies to deal with obsessions. 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 form everyday tasks
what is insight into excessive anxiety as a cognitive characteristic of OCD
people with OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational, in fact this is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD. if someone really believed their obsessive thoughts were based on reality it would be a symptom of a different mental disorder. however, in spite of this insight, people with OCD experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result is their anxieties were justifies,. they also tend to be hypervigilant (maintain constant alertness and keep attention focus on potential hazards