psychopathology - characteristics of OCD

Question 1

behavioural characteristics - AO1

Answer 1

COMPULSIONS
- external behaviours
- repeated to reduce anxiety
- e.g. checking/counting/washing

Avoidance
- of situations that trigger compulsions
- e.g. person with cleaning ritual may avoid shaking hands with people

Question 2

cognitive characteristics - ao1

Answer 2

OBSESSIONS
- internal, unwanted intrusive thoughts
- unpleasant and recurring
- cause anxiety
- e.g. worry of being contaminated by germs

Awareness
- that obsessions and compulsions are irrational, excessive and unreasonable

Hypervigilance
- constant alertness
- focused attention on potential hazards
- e.g. germs

Question 3

emotional characteristics - ao1

Answer 3

Anxiety and distress
- obsessions = unpleasant/frightening
- causing overwhelming anxiety
- urge to perform compulsions = anxiety

• OCD can cause other negative emotions
• e.g irrational guilt, disgust