OCD

Question 1

What is OCD

Answer 1

An anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from repetitive behaviour (compulsions) accompanied by obsessive thinking (obsessions)

Question 2

What is an obsession

Answer 2

Persistent thought which recur over and over again and create anxiety

Question 3

What are compulsions

Answer 3

Repetitive behaviours carried out to reduce anxiety created by obsessions

Question 4

List and outline the 4 categories of OCD recognised by the DSM-5

Answer 4

1. OCD- characterised by either obsessions and/or compulsions
2. Trichotillomania- compulsive hair pulling
3. Hoarding disorder- the compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything regardless of its value
4. Excoriation disorder- compulsive skin picking

Question 5

State two behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 5

1. Repetitive compulsions and compulsions to reduce anxiety
2. Avoidance

Question 6

State three emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 6

1. Anxiety and stress
2. Embarrassment or shame
3. Depression

Question 7

State three cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 7

1. Intrusive thoughts or impulses
2. Obsessions
3. Aware of excessive anxiety

Question 8

Explain why compulsions are two distinct behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 8

Patients experience repetitive compulsions which involve repeating specific unconcealed behaviours (may be physical eg. Hand washing- or mental eg. Counting, tidying) which then trigger their need to complete these behaviours to reduce and manage the anxiety caused by obsessions

Question 9

Which type of characteristics are compulsions and obsessions

Answer 9

Compulsions= behavioural
Obsessions= cognitive

Question 10

Explain the distinct difference between OCD and schizophrenia despite the similarities between the two disorders

Answer 10

OCD is categorised by an acute awareness that the anxiety caused by the obsessions and compulsions is excessive, irrational and unreasonable