Psychopathology - OCD

Question 1

OCD

Answer 1

OCD is an anxiety disorder where sufferers experience persistent and intrusive thoughts occurring as obsessions,
compulsions or a combination of both.

Most sufferers realise their obsessive ideas and compulsions are excessive and inappropriate, but cannot
consciously control them, resulting in even higher anxiety. They also appreciate their compulsions are only
temporary solutions.

A sufferer’s obsessions and compulsions become very time-consuming, thus interfering with the ability to
conduct everyday activities.

Question 2

Obsessions

Answer 2

Obsessions tend to be things people think about, which lead to feelings of extreme anxiety (the cognitions). They
comprise forbidden or inappropriate ideas and visual images that aren’t based in reality e.g. being convinced that
germs are everywhere.

Question 3

compulsions

Answer 3

Compulsions are what people do as a result of the obsessions (the behaviour). They comprise intense,
uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours e.g. obsessively washing hands to remove
germs. The compulsions are carried out in order to reduce distress or prevent feared events.

Question 4

different types of OCD

Answer 4

 Hygiene and contamination e.g. washing hands and clothes
 Counting and numbers e.g. multiples
 Hoarding and collecting
 Fear of harming others e.g children
 Sexual ruminations e.g. fearful of being gay

Question 5

behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 5

compulsive behaviour
avoidance

Question 6

compulsive behaviour

Answer 6

• Compulsions are repetitive. Typically sufferers feel compelled to repeat a
  behaviour e.g. washing hands, counting etc.
• Compulsions reduce anxiety. A majority of these behaviours are
  performed in an attempt to manage anxiety produced by obsessions e.g.
  compulsive hand washing is a response to the obsessive fear of germs.

Question 7

avoidance

Answer 7

The behaviour of OCD sufferers may also be characterised by their avoidance as they
attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it. For example, an obsessive
fear of germs may mean the sufferer avoids emptying their rubbish bins, and this can interfere with
leading a normal life.

Question 8

emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 8

anxiety and distress
accompanying depression

Question 9

anxiety and distress

Answer 9

OCD is regarded as a particularly unpleasant emotional experience because of
the excessive anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts->
unpleasant/frightening-> anxiety-> urge to repeat compulsion-> anxiety

Question 10

accompanying depression

Answer 10

Anxiety is often accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in
activities. It can also involve other negative emotions such as irrational guilt or disgust (directed at the
self or something external e.g. dirt)

Question 11

cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 11

obsessive thoughts
irrational
hyper-vigilant

Question 12

obsessive thoughts

Answer 12

The major cognitive feature of OCD is obsessive
thoughts i.e. thoughts that recur over and over again. They vary from person
to person (mind-map on pg 14) but are always unpleasant.

Question 13

irrational

Answer 13

People suffering from OCD are aware that their obsessions and
compulsions are not rational. In spite of this insight, OCD sufferers experience
catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified.
For example, exposure to germs could result in them catching a disease and dying.

Question 14

Hyper-vigilant

Answer 14

i.e. maintain constant alertness and attentions focused on potential hazards.

Question 15

acronyms for characteristics of OCD

Answer 15

CARA DAD HOTI
Compulsions - Anxiety reducing and Repetitive, Avoidance
Distress & Anxiety, Depression
Hyper-vigilant, Obesessive Thoughts, Irrational