characteristics of phobias, depression and OCD

define depression

• a mood disorder where an individual feels sad and/or lacks interest in their usual activities

define obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

• an anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from both obsessions (persistent thoughts) and compulsions (behaviours that are repeated over and over again).

• Compulsions are a responses to obsessions and the person believes the compulsions will reduce anxiety

define phobias

a group of mental disorders characterised by high levels of anxiety in response to a particular stimulus or group of stimuli

what are the emotional characteristics of phobias?

• Persistent, excessive and unreasonable fear and anxiety

• Cued by presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation

• Emotions are out of proportion to actual danger posed 

what are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

• Avoidance that interferes with everyday life - avoid putting themselves in situations where they may encounter phobia or thinking about it (e.g. person with dog phobia may avoid taking their children to the park in case they encounter one) 

• Freeze - adaptive response as predator may think prey is dead

• Fainting

• Panic behaviours

what are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?

• Irrational nature of thinking

• Resistance to rational arguments - e.g. person with fear of flying is not helped by arguments that flying is actually the safest form of transport

• Person recognises fear is excessive or unreasonable (may be absent in children) - distinguishes between phobia and delusional mental illness (such as schizophrenia) where the individual isn't aware of the unreasonableness of their behaviour

what do we mean when we say the ‘emotional characteristics’?

the way we feel

what do we mean when we say the ‘behavioural characteristics’?

the way we act/react

what do we mean when we say the ‘cognitive characteristics’?

the way we think, believe, perceive, remember

what are the emotional characteristics of depression?

• Sadness (most common)

• Feeling empty

• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and/or low self-esteem

• Inappropriate guilt

• Loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities and hobbies

• Feelings of despair and lack of control

• Anger - could be directed at themselves or others, could lead to verbal or physical aggression

what are the behavioural characteristics of depression?

• Tearfulness

• Shift in activity levels (could be increased or decreased) - effects behaviours such as sleep, eating and movement

• May sleep more (hypersomnia) or less (insomnia) than usual

• Eat less or more causing significant differences in body weight

• Movement and speech may be observably slower - may become agitated and compelled to move more than usual

what are some cognitive characteristics of depression?

• Negative thinking  - become automatic or 'normal' even to positive situations

• Negative thoughts are excessive and 'catastrophising' - when a person jumps to the worst possible outcome e.g. thinking there friends hate them as they haven't messaged back quickly

• Irrational thinking - thoughts interfere with the person being happy and free from pain e.g. their partner ends their relationship so they think they are unlovable. They are fuelled by unrealistic expectations of themselves and the world   

what type of disorder is a phobia?

an anxiety disorder

what type of disorder is depression?

mood

what type of disorder is OCD?

anxiety

what are the 2 main parts of OCD and what do they mean?

• Obsessions = persistent thoughts

• Compulsions = repetitive behaviours

what are some emotional characteristics of OCD?

• Anxiety

• Intrusive thoughts (obsessions) = frightening and cause intense distress that feels overwhelming

• Compulsions create anxiety due to repetitive nature which feels uncontrollable

• Low mood - constant cycle of compulsions and obsessions = physically and mentally exhausting

• Low mood = exuberated by guilt at neglecting themselves or others due to time taken with compulsions

• May have insights that their behaviour is irrational and excessive that may lead them to be secretive about their compulsions, feel embarrassed and experience shame and self-loathing

what are some behavioural characteristics of OCD?

• Compulsive behaviours - refers to actions people take to deal with their obsessions (behaviour is repetitive - e.g. obsession on contamination of germs will thoroughly wash and dry hand many times till they feel relief)

• Behavioural element of compulsions = reduce anxiety - anxiety is created by overwhelming feeling to compel to respond to thoughts by performing behaviour

• Avoidant behaviours - e.g. someone obsessed with germs may avoid touching surfaces

what are some of the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

• Obsessions in OCD = persistent, repetitive, intrusive thoughts that cause intense anxiety = key cognitive characteristic

• Common obsessions include thoughts of being contaminated by germs

• May focus their attention (hypervigilance) on the source of their obsession in new situations e.g. if obsession = germs that may show hypervigilance of poor hygiene in everyday environments

• Insight into irrationality of their thoughts/behaviours  - awareness doesn’t prevent compulsions or obsessions