characteristics of OCD : psychopathology Y1

Question 1

what is OCD ?

Answer 1

(obsessive-compulsive disorder) a condition characterised by obsessions and or compulsive behavior

Question 2

what does behavioural mean ?

Answer 2

ways in which people act

Question 3

what does emotional mean ?

Answer 3

ways in which people feel

Question 4

what does cognitive mean ?

Answer 4

ways in which people process information , including perception,attention and thinking

Question 5

what are the 5 types of OCD ?

Answer 5

washers,checkers,doubters + sinners, counters + arrangers , hoarders

Question 6

what does ‘washers’ mean ?

Answer 6

are afraid of contamination.they usually have cleaning or hand washing compulsions

Question 7

what does ‘checkers’ mean ?

Answer 7

repeatedly check things (oven turned off,door locked,etc) that they associate with harm or danger

Question 8

what does ‘doubters and sinners’ mean ?

Answer 8

afraid that if everything isn’t perfect or done just right something terrible will happen or they will be punished

Question 9

what does ‘counters and arrangers’ mean ?

Answer 9

obsessed with order and symmetry.they may have superstitions about certain number,colors or arrangements

Question 10

what does ‘hoarders’ mean ?

Answer 10

fear that something bad will happen if they throw anything away.they compulsivelyhoard things that they don’t need or use

Question 11

what are 2 elements of behavioral characteristics of OCD ?

Answer 11

• compulsions are repetitive
• compulsions reduce anxiety

Question 12

what does ‘compulsions are repetitive’ mean ?

Answer 12

sufferers of OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour

Question 13

what does ‘compulsions reduce anxiety’ mean ?

Answer 13

around 10% of sufferers of OCD show compulsive behaviour alone, this means that they have no obsessions but just a general sense of irrational anxiety

Question 14

why are majority of compulsive behaviours performed ?

Answer 14

as in attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions

Question 15

what is an example of compulsions that may reduce anxiety ? (hand-washing)

Answer 15

compulsive hand washing is carried out as a response to an obsessive fear of germs.

Question 16

what is an example of compulsions that may reduce anxiety ? (checking door)

Answer 16

a door is locked or a gas appliance is switched off, is in response to the obsessive thought that it might have been left unsecured

Question 17

what is a behaviour OCD sufferers also do ?

Answer 17

avoidance

Question 18

why might OCD sufferers also do this ( A ) ?

Answer 18

in attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it

Question 19

what is an example of this (A) ?

Answer 19

sufferers who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with germs

Question 20

what can ( A ) also lead to ?

Answer 20

avoidance can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations , such as emptying their rubbish bins , and this can in itself interfere with leading a normal life

Question 21

what is the cycle of OCD ?

Answer 21

obessive thought -> anxiety -> compulsive behaviour -> temporary relief

Question 22

what are 3 sub-categories of emotional characteristics of OCD ?

Answer 22

anxiety + distress , accompanying depression , guilt + disgust

Question 23

what does anxiety and distress mean in terms of OCD ?

Answer 23

obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening , and the anxiety that goes with these can be overwhelming. the urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety

Question 24

what does accompanying depression mean in terms of OCD ?

Answer 24

OCD is accompanied by depression , so anxiety can be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities

Question 25

what does compulsive behaviour tend to bring ?

Answer 25

some relief from anxiety but this is temporary

Question 25

what does guilt and disgust mean in terms of OCD ?

Answer 25

OCD involves negative emotions such as irrational guilt - an example of this is over minor moral issues or disgust which may be directed against something external like dirt or at the self

Question 25

what are 3 sub-categories of cognitive characteristics of OCD ?

Answer 25

obsessive thoughts,cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions,insight into excessive anxiety