behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of OCD

define OCD

characterised by either obsessions (recurring thoughts/images and/or compulsions e.g. handwashing

what does OCD stand for?

obsessive compulsive disorder

define obsessive

a persistent thought, idea, impulse or image that is experienced repeatedly, feels intrusive and causes anxiety

define compulsion

a repetitive and rigid behaviour or mental act that a person feels driven to preform in order to reduce anxiety

DSM-5 categories of OCD

• hoarding disorder - the compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything, regardless of its value

• Trichotillomania - compulsive hair pulling

how are obsessions and compulsions are connected?

what are the three types of behavioural characteristics of OCD?

• compulsions are repetitive

• compulsions reduce anxiety

• avoidance

Behavioural characteristics - OCD

compulsions are repetitive

people with OCD feel compelled to repeat behaviour e.g. handwashing

Behavioural characteristics - OCD

compulsions reduce anxiety

compulsive behaviours are preformed in attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions e.g. compulsive handwashing is a response to the obsessive fear of germs

Behavioural characteristics - OCD

Avoidance

reduces anxiety by keeping away from situations that cause it e.g. people who wash compulsively may avoid coming in contact with germs

what are the three emotional characteristics of OCD?

• anxiety and distress

• accompanying depression

• guilt and disgust

Emotional characteristics - OCD

anxiety and distress

• OCD is regarded as unpleasant due to the powerful anxiety that accompanies both obsessions and compulsions

• thoughts are unpleasant and frightening

• compulsions create anxiety

Emotional characteristics - OCD

accompanying depression

• OCD is often accompanied by depression - anxiety can be accompanied by low mood

• compulsive behaviour brings temporary relief from anxiety

Emotional characteristics - OCD#

guilt and disgust

• OCD is accompanied by irrational guilt (e.g. related to minor moral issues) and disgust (e.g. about dirt or in relation to yourself)

what are the three cognitive characteristics of OCD?

• obsessive thoughts

• cognitive coping strategies

• insight into excessive anxiety

cognitive characteristics - OCD

obsessive thoughts

most people with OCD have intrusive thoughts (thoughts that recur over and over again) - these are always unpleasant

cognitive characteristics - OCD

cognitive coping strategies

• obsessions are the major cognitive aspect of OCD

• people respond to OCD by adopting cognitive strategies to deal with the obsessions e.g. a religious person tormented by guilt may respond by praying/meditating

• cognitive coping strategies help manage anxiety but it can distract them from everyday tasks

cognitive characteristics - OCD

insight into excessive anxiety

• People with OCD are aware that their compulsions and obsessions are not rational

• they experience catastrophic thoughts about worse-case scenarios

• they tend to be hypervigilant