Characteristics of OCD

• DSM-5 categories of OCD

  The DSM recognises OCD and a range of related disorders. 

  • OCD 

  Characterised by obsessions and/or compulsions

  • 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

  What do these have in common?

  Repetitive behaviour accompanied by obsessive thinking.
• Behavioural characteristics: Compulsions

  They are repetitive e.g. hand washing, counting, praying, tidying/ordering

  They reduce anxiety: for most people, compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions.

  E.g. compulsive hand washing is carried out as a response to an obsessive fear of germs.
• Behavioural characteristics: Avoidance

  OCD is managed by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety.

  Example: sufferers who wash repeatedly may avoid coming into contact with germs
• Emotional characteristics

  Anxiety of the obsessions and compulsions can be overwhelming.

  OCD is often accompanied by depression

  Sometimes people feel irrational guilt or disgust.
• Cognitive characteristics 

  • Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts ‘intrusive thoughts’ Common themes: germ contamination, sexual images
  • Insight into anxiety
  • The person recognises that the thoughts are a product of their own mind (rather than the thoughts being inserted into their own mind which is common in schizophrenics)
  • The thoughts can be embarrassing/frightening so the person may not want to talk about them with friends.
  • At some point they recognise that the obsessions and compulsions are excessive and unreasonable.