OCD

What is OCD?

A condition characterised by obsessions and or compulsive behaviour.

Obsessions are cognitive whereas compulsions are behavioural.

What is a compulsion?

Behaviour (something you do)

What is an obsession?

Cognition (Takes place in the mind)

What are the 3 behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Compulsions are repetitive, compulsions reduce anxiety and avoidance

What is meant by compulsions are repetitive? (Behavioural characteristic)

Feel compelled to repeat a behaviour such as handwashing.

Other examples are counting, praying or ordering groups of objects like CDs

What is meant by compulsions reduce anxiety? (Behavioural characteristic)

Around 10% of people with OCD show compulsive behaviour alone

Compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions.

E.g. compulsive handwashing is carried out as a response to an obsessive fear of germs OR compulsive checking of a door being locked is a response to the obsessive thought that it might have been left unsecured.

What is meant by avoidance? (Behavioural characteristic)

Attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it.

E.g. people who wash compulsively may avoid coming into contact with germs. However, this avoidance can lead people to avoid very ordinary situations such as emptying rubbish bins which interferes with leading a regular life.

What are the 3 emotional characteristics of OCD?

Anxiety and distress, accompanying depression and guilt and disgust

What is meant by anxiety and distress? (Emotional characteristic)

Obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening and the anxiety that goes with these can be overwhelming.

The urge to repeat a behaviour (compulsion) creates anxiety.

What is meant by accompanying depression? (Emotional characteristic)

OCD is often accompanied by depression.

e.g. low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities

What is meant by guilt and disgust? (Emotional characteristic)

Experience irrational guilt over minor moral issues, or disgust which may be directed against something external like dirt or at the self.

What are the 3 cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Obsessive thoughts, cognitive coping strategies and insight into excessive anxiety

What is meant by obsessive thoughts? (Cognitive characteristic)

90% of people with OCD have obsessive thoughts as the major cognitive feature

Thoughts that recur over and over again and are always unpleasant

E.g. Recurring thoughts of being contaminated by dirt and germs

What is meant by cognitive coping strategies? (Cognitive characteristic)

Adopting cognitive coping strategies to deal with obsessions.

E.g. a religious person tormented by obsessive guilt may respond by praying

This helps manage anxiety but can make the person appear abnormal to others and can distract them from everyday tasks.

What is meant by insight into excessive anxiety? (Cognitive characteristic)

Experiencing catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios

They also tend to be hypervigilant (maintain constant alertness and keep attention focused on potential hazards)