OCD

Question 1

What is OCD?

Answer 1

• An anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from both obsession and compulsions.
• Compulsions are a response to obsessions and person believes compulsions will reduce anxiety.

Question 2

Behavioural Characteristics of OCD

Answer 2

• Compulsions;
  1. Repetitive
  2. Reduce anxiety - 10% of sufferers show compulsions alone with no obsessions just a sense of irrational anxiety. For vast majority, compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage anxiety produced by obsessions.
• Avoidance - attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it. Can lead to people avoiding very ordinary situations and can interfere with normal life.

Question 3

Emotional Characteristics of OCD

Answer 3

• Anxiety and Distress - obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening and anxiety can be overwhelming. Urge to repeat behaviour creates anxiety.
• Accompanying depression - anxiety accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment. Compulsive behaviour brings relief from anxiety but this is not permanent.
• Guilt and Disgust - irrational guilt over minor moral issues or disgust which may be directed at something external or at the self.

Question 4

Cognitive Characteristics of OCD

Answer 4

• Obsessive thoughts - thoughts that occur over and over again. Vary from person to person. Always unpleasant.
• Cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions - obsessions are major cognitive aspect of OCD but some respond by adopting cognitive coping strategies. May help manage anxiety but can make person appear abnormal and distract from everyday tasks.
• Insight into excessive anxiety - obsessions and compulsions are not rational. Necessity for diagnosis. If irrational thoughts were truly believed it would be schizophrenia. OCD sufferers experience catastrophic thoughts about worse case scenarios.