OCD

OCD

an anxiety disorder where sufferers experience persistent and intrusive thoughts occurring as obsessions, compulsions or both

obsessions

what people think about

what do obsessions comprise of?

forbidden or inappropriate ideas or visual images that aren't based on reality

compulsions

what people do as a result of obsessions

what do compulsions comprise of?

intense, uncontrollable urges to repetitively perform tasks and behaviours

OCD cycle

obsessive though -> anxiety -> compulsive behaviour -> temporary relief

What percentage of the population have OCD?

2%

common things women obsess about

preoccupations with contamination and cleaning

common things men obsess about

religious or sexual obsessions

is OCD more common in boys or girls?

boys (females have a later onset of OCD)

common obsessions

contamination, fear of losing control, perfectionism

common compulsions

excessive washing and cleaning, excessive checking, repetition

Diagnosis of OCD

DSM-V, the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions on most days for at least 2 weeks

behavioural symptoms of obsessions

hinder everyday functioning, social impairment

emotional symptoms of obsessions

extreme anxiety

cognitive symptoms of obsessions

attentional bias, recognised as self-generated, realisation of inappropriateness, recurrent and persistent thoughts (intrusive)

behavioural symptoms of compulsions

hinder everyday functioning, social impairment, repetitive

emotional symptoms of compulsions

distress due to knowing the compulsions cannot be consciously controlled

cognitive symptoms of compulsions

realisation of inappropriateness, uncontrollable urges