OCD- characteristics and explanation

Question 3

what is OCD

Answer 3

-an anxiety disorder in which sufferers experience persistent and intrusive thoughts which they deal with by carrying out ritual behaviours

Question 4

what is an obsession

Answer 4

-usually forbidden/ inappropriate thoughts that arent based in reality

Question 5

whats a compulsion

Answer 5

-uncontrollable urges to repetitively carry out behaviours to reduce anxiety

Question 6

prevelance of OCD in adult population

Answer 6

-2% with no real gender differences

Question 7

emotional characteristic

Answer 7

-Extreme anxiety: persistent forbidden ideas
-Depression: Often accompanied by low mood
-Distress: recognition that compulsions cannot be consciously controlled

Question 8

Behavioural characteristic

Answer 8

-Repetitiveness: compelled to repeat behaviour as response to thoughts
-Hinders everyday functioning: obsessive ideas make it difficult to perform tasks
-social impairment: anxiety so high that it can be difficult to conduct meaningful relationships

Question 9

Cognitive characteristics

Answer 9

-Realisation of inappropriateness: most sufferers understand thoughts are irrational
-Obsessive thinking: recurring, unpleasant thoughts
-Attention bias: perception focused on anxiety generating stimuli