OCD

Question 1

In one sentence how would you describe OCD

Answer 1

Recurrent obsessional thoughts and compulsive acts

Question 2

Name some fears that people with OCD might have (obsessional thoughts)

Answer 2

– A fear of acquiring disease

– fear of coming to harm or Causing harm to others

Question 3

Why do you compulsive acts or rituals need to be done in patients with OCD?

Answer 3

They are done to prevent some objectively unlikely event, often involving harm or danger to the patient or someone they are close to
To cancel out the obsessional thought

Question 4

How does the patient usually feel if they attempt to resist doing a compulsive act? In OCD

Answer 4

Their anxiety will normally get worse if they cannot do the act

Question 5

Name a few examples of compulsive acts which are common in patients with OCD

Answer 5

– Cleaning
– repeated checking
– orderliness and tidiness

Question 6

How many people are affected with OCD? What is the epidemiology? What is the peak age?

Answer 6

Around 1 to 3% of the population are affected.
Males and females are equally affected however males are more affected in childhood and females are more affected after adolescence.
There are two peaks in age where OCD first begins, these are 10 and 21

Question 7

Name some risk factors for OCD

Answer 7

Biological: family history and age

Psychologically: emotional, physical and sexual abuse
Neglect, social isolation and bullying
Increased risk of pregnancy and the postnatal period

Question 8

Name some questions that you could ask patient who you think might have OCD?

Answer 8

– Do you wash or clean a lot
– do you check things a lot?
- Is there any thought that keeps bothering you or that you would wish to get rid of?
– Do your daily activities take a long time to finish
– are you concerned about putting things in a special order, or are you upset by mess?
- Did these problems trouble you?
– Do you have any rituals you do to help with these thoughts
– do you worry that something bad will happen if you don’t do these actions?
– Who would come to harm?
– What would happen if you couldn’t do the action? -Would you get anxious?
– Do you think you have control over their thoughts?

Question 9

How would you manage OCD?

Go through the management of mild, moderate and severe OCD

Answer 9

Mild
A low intensity psychological intervention such as CBT and exposure and response prevention

Moderate
CBT INCLUDING ERP or an SSRI

Severe
CBT and ERP and an SSRI

clomipramine if SSRI unsuitable