OCD

Question 1

Define OCD

Answer 1

Behaviour that is obsessive and repetitive

Question 2

What are the behavioural responses to OCD

Answer 2

Compulsions, there are 2 key elements to compulsive behaviours:

1) Compulsions are repetitive - ie) washing hands, tidying, praying etc, people are compelled to repeat.
2) Compulsions reduce anxiety- they are the response to obsessive thinking ie) checking if door is closed or stove is off etc.

Avoidance
May be done to reduce anxiety, but can increase difficulty of life as avoiding germs by repetitively washing hands or avoiding germs by not taking out trash can complicate life.

Question 3

What are the emotional responses to OCD?

Answer 3

Anxiety - due to obsessive thoughts
Accompanied by depression - low mood and energy levels
Guilt / disgust - at minor moral issues or germs etc

Question 4

What are the cognitive responses to OCD?

Answer 4

Obsessive thoughts - a major cognitive factor of OCD and clearly apparent in over 90% of OCD sufferers.
Cognitive Strategies to deal with Obsessive thoughts - ie) praying or meditating to deal with moral anxiety, but can take away from everyday life.
Excessive Anxiety - OCD sufferers are aware their behaviour is irrational and abnormal, but worst case scenarios run through their minds ie) being hyper-vigilant to prevent these.