Psychopathology - Introduction to OCD

Question 1

OCD

Answer 1

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Question 2

What type of disorder is OCD?

Answer 2

Anxiety disorder

Question 3

What will someone with OCD experience?

Answer 3

Persistent and intrusive thoughts occurring as obsession, compulsions or a combination of the two

Question 4

What do obsessions comprise of?

Answer 4

Forbidden or inappropriate ideas and visual images that AREN’T BASED ON REALITY

Question 5

What is an obsession?

Answer 5

A persistent thought, idea, impulse or image that is experienced repeatedly

Question 6

What do obsessions cause?

Answer 6

Anxiety

Question 7

Why are obsessions internal components?

Answer 7

Because they are thought

Question 8

What do compulsions comprise of?

Answer 8

Intense and uncontrollable urges to repetitively performs tasks and behaviours

Question 9

What are compulsions?

Answer 9

Repetitive and rigid behaviours or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in order to prevent or reduce anxiety

Question 10

Why are compulsions external components?

Answer 10

Because they are behaviours

Question 11

OCD cycle (4 stages)

Answer 11

1. Distressing thought (obsession)
2. Feelings of distress, fear, worry or disgust causing urge to do something (anxiety)
3. Any behaviour to overcome anxiety (compulsions)
4. Temporary relief then obsession returns (relief)

Question 12

Traits of OCD according to DSM-IV

Answer 12

-Recurrent obsessions and compulsions
-Recognition by individual that obsessions and compulsions are unreasonable
-Person is distressed and daily life is disrupted