OCD

What is the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for OCD?

The individual must experience obsessions, compulsions, or both that are time-consuming or cause significant distress.

What are obsessions in OCD?

Recurrent, intrusive thoughts, urges, or images that feel unwanted and cause significant fear, anxiety, or distress.

What does ego-dystonic mean in the context of OCD?

Obsessions are inconsistent with one's values, leading to increased distress.

What are compulsions in OCD?

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome.

What is the obsessive-compulsive cycle?

Trigger → Obsession → Anxiety → Compulsion → Temporary Relief.

What are common themes of obsessions in OCD?

Contamination, harm (self or others), losing control, symmetry or perfectionism, morality/religious scrupulosity, unwanted sexual thoughts, fear of illness.

What are behavioral compulsions?

Observable actions performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome, such as washing or checking.

What are cognitive compulsions?

Internal mental acts aimed at neutralizing distress, such as counting or mental rituals.

What is the role of trauma in the development of OCD?

OCD may emerge as a response to stress or earlier trauma, with compulsions providing predictability and control.

What is the prevalence of OCD in Canada?

Annual prevalence is 1-2%.

What are common comorbidities associated with OCD?

Depression, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, impulse-control disorders, tic disorders.

What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) in treating OCD?

A treatment approach involving gradual exposure to feared triggers without performing compulsions to break the obsession-compulsion cycle.

What medications are commonly used to treat OCD?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are first-line medications, with antipsychotic augmentation if SSRIs are ineffective.

What is the impact of family accommodation on OCD treatment?

Family actions that reduce anxiety in the moment can worsen symptoms long-term and block treatment goals.

What is the difference between information-seeking and reassurance-seeking?

Information-seeking aims to gain knowledge, while reassurance-seeking aims to reduce anxiety.

What is the significance of hyperarousal in OCD?

Heightened sensitivity to triggers increases anxiety, leading to compulsions attempting to neutralize perceived danger.

What are avoidance behaviors in OCD?

Behaviors that involve staying away from triggers, which may appear similar to compulsions but are aimed at avoiding anxiety.

What is the role of childhood trauma in OCD?

Early trauma can disrupt a sense of safety and emotion regulation, leading to compulsions as protective strategies.

What is the average onset age for OCD?

The average onset is around 19 years old.

What is the function of dysfunctional compulsions?

Excessive, exaggerated forms of normal behaviors done to reduce anxiety, such as frequent checking or prolonged handwashing.

What are nonfunctional compulsions?

Repetitive actions with no clear purpose or link to anxiety reduction, such as tapping or unnecessary stretching.

How do intrusive thoughts relate to OCD?

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts that trigger anxiety and are often central to the obsessions in OCD.

What is the impact of gendered stress on mental health?

Women may experience chronic stress from caregiving expectations, while men may face pressures toward stoicism, leading to different mental health outcomes.

What is the significance of the term 'ego dystonic' in OCD?

It refers to the distress caused by obsessions that are inconsistent with the person's values or desires.

What is the relationship between OCD and other disorders?

Some repetitive behaviors in OCD can resemble those in autism or Tourette syndrome, requiring clinical differentiation.