Psychopathology - OCD symptoms

Question 1

What is OCD?

Answer 1

• anxiety disorder
• patient shows repetitive behaviour (compulsions) and obsessive thinking

Question 2

Behavioural characteristics

Answer 2

Compulsive behaviours, hinder everyday functioning, social impairment, repetitive, avoidance

Question 3

Compulsive behaviours

Answer 3

• performed to reduce anxiety created by obsessions
• repetitive, external components = can be seen by others e.g. hand washing, (mental acts) praying, counting
• feel they must perform these actions or something dreadful might happen = creates anxiety
• compulsions without obsessions = compulsively avoid certain objects

Question 4

Hinder everyday functioning

Answer 4

• obsessive or forbidden ideas = great deal of anxiety = compulsions + respective behaviour = hinder ability to perform everyday functions e.g. unable to have a job and work effectively

Question 5

Social impairment

Answer 5

• high anxiety levels by obsessions + performance of repetitive, compulsive behaviour might become so high the person can’t conduct meaningful interpersonal relationships

Question 6

Repetitive

Answer 6

• patient feels compelled to repeat behaviours over and over again as a response to obsessive thoughts, ideas and images

Question 7

Avoidance

Answer 7

• avoiding situations which might trigger anxiety
  Results in them avoiding certain tasks which leads to further problems

Question 8

Emotional characteristics

Answer 8

Anxiety and distress, accompanying depression, guilt and disgust

Question 9

Anxiety and distress

Answer 9

• aware obsessions and compulsions are excessive = embarrassed + ashamed
• distress = can’t consciously control compulsive behaviour

Question 10

Accompanying depression

Answer 10

Compulsions bring some temporary relief

Question 11

Guilt + disgust

Answer 11

Over minor issues
Disgust can be direct against something external

Question 12

Cognitive characteristics

Answer 12

Obsessions, recognised as self generated, realisation of inappropriateness, attention bias

Question 13

Obsessions

Answer 13

• recurrent, intrusive thoughts/ impulses = inappropriate/ forbidden
• patient might be embarrassed to share them with others
• e.g. ideas, doubts, impulses, images
• uncontrollable + cause anxiety
• realise obsessions are unreasonable
• internal

Question 14

Recognised as self generated

Answer 14

Self invented

Question 15

Realisation of inappropriateness

Answer 15

Cannot consciously control or stop them

Question 16

Attention bias

Answer 16

• perception focused on anxiety generating stimuli
• hyper vigilant + look for things that will justify their high anxiety levels