P - OCD

Question 1

What is OCD?

Answer 1

A condition characterised by obsessive behaviour and/or compulsive behaviour

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 2

Compulsive behaviour:
- Compulsions are repetitive: Sufferers are compelled to repeat a behaviour an excessive amount of times for example: brushing teeth
- Compulsions reduce anxiety: Compulsive behaviour is a response to manage the anxiety caused by the obsession

Avoidance: sufferers of OCD may avoid situations that trigger the anxiety. For example suffers who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with germs. This can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations such as emptying there rubbish bins

Question 3

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 3

• Anxiety and distress; Obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening, and the anxiety that goes with it
• OCD is often accompanied by depression; compulsive behavior tends to bring some relief from anxiety but this is temporary and can often interfere with day-to-day life and relationships
• Guilt and disgust

Question 4

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Answer 4

• Obsessive thoughts; unpleasant thoughts that occur over and over again which can cause anxiety
• Development of cognitive strategies to deal with obsession; for example taking your toothbrush to work
• Acknowledgement of irrationality; they know that there compulsions and obsessions are not rational despite this, they experience thoughts about the worse case scenario that might result if their anxieties were justified