Lesson 11

Question 1

Behavioural characteristics of OCD

Answer 1

• Compulsive behaviours, repetitive and unconcealed, like hand washing
• Hindering everyday function, like being late for work
• Social impairment, cannot hold meaningful personal relationships
• Repetitive, sufferers will repeat behaviours because of obsessive thoughts
• Avoidance, like avoiding germs if you wash your hands compulsively

Question 2

Emotional characteristics of OCD

Answer 2

• Anxiety and distress, like shame and distress that they cannot control themselves
• Depression
• Guilt and disgust, sometimes over minor issues

Question 3

Cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 3

• Obsessions, internal and in their head
• Insight, sufferers know the ideas are self-invented
• Realisation of inappropriateness, but they are unable to control themselves
• Attention bias, as sufferers will pay more attention to stimuli that triggers them.