Psychopathology: Lesson 11 - The Behavioral, Emotional And Cognitive Characteristics Of OCD

Question 1

What is OCD?

Answer 1

• OCD is an anxiety disorder
• It is characterised by the DSM-V as a disorder whereby the patient shows repetitive behaviour (compulsions) and obsessive thinking

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?1. 1.

Answer 2

1. Compulsive behaviours
2. Hinder everyday functioning
3. Social impairment
4. Repetitive behaviours
5. Avoidance

Question 3

What are compulsive behaviours?

Answer 3

• Compulsive behaviours are performed to reduce the anxiety created by obsessions
• They are repetitive and unconcealed, such as hand washing or checking things
• This could include mental acts such as praying or counting
• Patients feel they must perform these actions otherwise something dreadful might happen, and this creates anxiety
• Some patients experience compulsions without obsessions, such as they compulsively avoid certain objects such as the cracks in the pavement

Question 4

What is ‘Hinder everyday functioning’?

Answer 4

• Having obsessive or forbidden/inappropriate ideas creates a great deal of anxiety
• This could then lead to compulsions and repetitive behaviour (washing hands over and over again so the person is very late for work) that can seriously hinder the ability to perform everyday functions, for example the person might not be able to have a job and work effectively.