Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD: A condition characterised by obsessions and/or compulsive behaviour. Obsessions are cognitive whereas compulsions are behavioural.

Categories of OCD: OCD, trichotillomania, hoarding disorder and excoriation disorder

Trichotillomania: Compulsive hair-pulling

Hoarding Disorder: The compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything, regardless of its value

Excoriation Disorder: Compulsive skin-picking

Behavioural Characteristics of OCD: Compulsions are repetitive and reduce anxiety (only 10% of people with OCD show compulsions alone, the majority perform compulsions to reduce the anxiety of obsessions) and avoidance to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that may trigger it.

Emotional Characteristics of OCD: Anxiety and distress, accompanying depression, and guilt and disgust.

Cognitive Characteristics of OCD: Obsessive thoughts (always unpleasant), cognitive coping strategies to deal with obsessions (obsessive praying to tackle guilt) and an awareness into the excessive anxiety, they are aware their obsessions and compulsions aren’t rational.