OCD

Question 1

What are the behavioural characteristics that would be seen in an individual with OCD?

Answer 1

-Compulsions

Question 2

Explain the term ‘compulsions’ (2)

Answer 2

• Repetitive behaviours that must be carried out to ease the anxiety caused by the obsessions
• Can be unrelated to the needs of the obsessions

Question 3

What are the emotional characteristics that would be seen in an individual with OCD? (2)

Answer 3

• Panic (if unable to act out obsession)

- Anxiety due to the uncontrollable nature of the obsessions

Question 4

What are the cognitive characteristics that would be seen in an individual with OCD? (3)

Answer 4

• Obsessions
• A perception of no control over these obsessions
• An awareness that the obsessions are abnormal

Question 5

What are obsessions?

Answer 5

Reoccuring and intrusive thoughts that are inappropriate

Question 6

How long must obsessions/compulsions be present for before an individual is diagnosed with OCD?

Answer 6

Obsessions must be present on most days for at least two weeks

Question 7

What are the four different types of OCD? Give an example for each

Answer 7

• Memory (pressing switches)
• Contamination (shaking hands, bannisters, clean obsessively
• Hoarding (can’t throw unwanted/old/worn things)
• Symmetry and order (knife and fork certain way, books lined up)