Psychopathology: OCD Flashcards
What is OCD?
A condition characterised by obsession and/or compulsive behaviour
What is the behavioural component of OCD?
compulsive behaviour
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
- Compulsions are repetitive
- Compulsions reduce anxiety
- Avoidance
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
- Anxiety and distress
- Accompanying depression
- Guilt and disgust
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
- Obsessive thoughts
- Cognitive strategies
- Insight into excessive anxiety
BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OCD
Explain ‘Compulsions are repetitive’ and give example
Sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour such as hand washing
BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OCD
Explain the characteristic ‘Compulsions reduce anxiety’ and give an example
Compulsive behaviours are performed to manage anxiety. An example is washing hands as a response to fear of germs.
BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OCD
Explain the characteristic ‘Avoidance’ and give an example.
Sufferers of OCD reduce anxiety by avoiding situations that trigger it. An example is a person with fear of germs/dirt may avoid having contact with germs such as emptying rubbish bins. This could interfere with leading a normal life.
EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OCD
Explain the characteristic ‘Anxiety and distress’
Obsessive thoughts can be unpleasant and frightening. This could lead to overwhelming anxiety. On top of that, compulsions can give the urge to repeat a behaviour which increases anxiety further.
BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OCD
Explain the characteristic ‘Accompanying depression’
OCD is accompanied by depression. The anxiety felt by a sufferer can experience low mood and lack of enjoyment.
BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OCD
Explain the characteristic ‘Guilt and disgust’ and give an example.
OCD involves irrational guilt for example over moral issues and being disgusted to oneself.
COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF OCD
Explain the characteristic ‘Obsessive thoughts’ and give an example.
This is when thoughts occur over and over again. These thoughts can be unpleasant. An example is the certainty that a door is left unlocked.
COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF OCD
Explain the characteristic ‘Cognitive strategies’ and give an example.
This is when people respond to their anxiety by creating cognitive strategies to cope. An example is when a religious person feels guilt over their obsessive thoughts, they respond to their guilt by praying to manage the anxiety they are feeling.
COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF OCD
Explain the characteristic ‘ Insight into excessive anxiety’ and give an example.
People with OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational. If someone were to connect their obsessive thoughts with reality, it is a symptom of another mental disorder.
