OCD

Question 1

What is OCD?

Answer 1

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a condition characterised by obsession and or more compulsive behaviour

Question 2

What is the difference between compulsion and obsession?

Answer 2

Compulsion - a behaviour

Obsession - a cognition

Question 3

What is trichotillomania?

Answer 3

Compulsive hair pulling

Question 4

What is hoarding disorder?

Answer 4

The compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything regardless of its value

Question 5

What is excoriation disorder?

Answer 5

Compulsive skin picking

Question 6

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 6

Compulsions
Compulsions are repetitive- sufferers feel compelled to repeat the behaviour (commonly hand washing)
Compulsions reduce anxiety
Avoidance

Question 7

How do compulsions reduce anxiety?

Answer 7

Around 10% of sufferers show compulsion without obsessions however the vast majority perform the behaviours in an attempt to reduce the anxiety e.g. compulsive hand washing carried out as a response to obsessive fear of germs

Question 8

What is avoidance?

Answer 8

They may try to keep away from situations that trigger the anxiety in an attempt to reduce it however this can leave to avoidance of very ordinary situations

Question 9

What is the emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 9

Anxiety and distress
Accompanying depression
Guilt and disgust

Question 10

What is anxiety and distress?

Answer 10

Powerful anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts can be frightening and the urge to repeat behaviour creates anxiety

Question 11

What is the accompanying depression?

Answer 11

Most OCD is accompanied by depression including lack of enjoyment in activities and while compulsive behaviour can bring some relief it is temporary

Question 12

What is guilt and disgust?

Answer 12

Irrational guilt often directed at self or at something external like dirt

Question 13

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Answer 13

Obsessive thoughts - for 90% major feature of condition is obsessive thoughts
Cognition and obsessions - people may respond by developing cognitive coping strategies - helps manage anxiety but could make them look abnormal
Insight into excessive anxiety - People are aware that their obsessions and compulsions aren’t rational but they experience catastrophic thoughts