ocd

Question 1

what is ocd?

Answer 1

obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity

Question 2

what is an obsession?

Answer 2

an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters a persons mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.

Question 3

what is a compulsion?

Answer 3

a repetitive behaviour or mental act that someone feels they need to carry out to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings bought on by the obsessive thought.

e.g repeatedly washing hands

Question 4

emotional characteristics of ocd

Answer 4

anxiety and distress - obsessive thoughts (unpleasant and frightening), and anxiety that goes with these can be overwhelming

guilt and disgust - irrational guilt e.g a minor moral issue or disgust which is directed towards one self or something external like dirt

accompanying depression - sufferers may experience low mood

Question 5

behavioural characteristics of depression

Answer 5

compulsions - actions that are carried out repeatedly in a ritualistic way to reduce anxiety

avoidance - avoiding situations which trigger anxiety e.g sufferers who wash repeatedly may avoid coming into contact with germs

Question 6

cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 6

obsessive thoughts - about 90% of ocd sufferers have obsessive thoughts e.g recurring intrusive thoughts about being contaminated by dirt or germs

insight into excessive anxiety - awareness that thoughts and behaviours are irrational in spite of this sufferers may experience catastrophic thoughts and are hypervigilant i.e. ‘over aware’ of their obsession