Psychopathology L11

Question 1

Describe ‘Compulsions/repetitive behaviour’ as a behavioural characteristic of OCD

Answer 1

• Compulsions are repetitive actions that could hinder the person’s ability to perform everyday tasks
• They reduce the anxiety that is created by obsessions
• The person feels they must perform these actions otherwise something dreadful might happen
• e.g: washing their hands over & over again or constantly checking that the oven is switched off

Question 2

Describe ‘Avoidance’ as a behavioural characteristic of OCD

Answer 2

• Some sufferers of OCD attempt to reduce their anxiety by avoiding situations that might trigger it
• Sufferers who wash their hands continuously might avoid coming into contact with germs by never emptying their bins

Question 3

What are 2 behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 3

1. Compulsions/repetitive behaviour
2. Avoidance

Question 4

What are 2 emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 4

1. High anxiety/low mood
2. Disgust/self-loathing

Question 5

Describe ‘high anxiety/low mood’ as an emotional characteristic of OCD?

Answer 5

• The obsessions & compulsions are a source of anxiety & distress
• Sufferers are aware that their obsessions and compulsive behaviours are excessive & this causes feelings of embarrassment and shame
• They may also be aware that they cannot consciously control their compulsive behaviours, which leads to strong feelings of distress

Question 6

Describe ‘disgust/self-loathing’ as an emotional characteristic of OCD

Answer 6

• Feelings of disgust may be directed at the source of the obsessions (e.g: dirt & germs) or they may be directed towards their self

Question 7

What are 3 cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Answer 7

1. Obsessions/irrational beliefs
2. Insight into irrationality of thoughts & behaviour
3. Selective attention

Question 8

Describe ‘obsessions/irrational beliefs’ as a cognitive characteristic of OCD

Answer 8

• These are persistent, intrusive, irrational thoughts that are perceived as inappropriate or forbidden
• The person may not want to share them with others as they may be embarrassing or frightening
• Common obsessions include doubts (have they checked the oven is switched off?), impulses (to shout & swear in public), or images
• Obsessions are not worries about everyday problems; instead they are uncontrollable & cause anxiety
• They can include catastrophic thinking when people with OCD think that something terrible will happen if they do not carry out their compulsions

Question 9

Describe ‘insight into irrationality of thoughts & behaviour’ as a cognitive characteristic of OCD

Answer 9

• Most sufferers understand that their compulsive behaviours & obsessive thoughts are inappropriate and irrational, but they cannot consciously control or stop them

Question 10

Describe ‘selective attention’ as a cognitive characteristic of OCD

Answer 10

• Increased awareness of sources of obsession in new situations
• e.g: constantly worrying about germs