OCD

• OCD=obsessive compulsive disorder, a disorder characterized by recurrent, intrusive thoughts and compulsions
• • an anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from both obsessions (persistent thoughts) and compulsions (behaviours that are repeated over and over again).
• compulsions are a response to obsessions and the person believes the compulsions will reduce anxiety
• behavioural characteristics of OCD

  • compulsions are external components
  • compulsions are repetitive: sufferers feel compelled to repeat a behaviour
  • compulsions reduce anxiety: around 10% of sufferers show compulsive behaviours alone-no obsessions. Majority will perform the compulsions to reduce anxiety.
• Avoidance:

  sufferers tend to avoid situations that trigger anxiety
• Emotional characteristics of OCD:

  • the obsessions and compulsions of sufferers can lead to unpleasant emotional experiences
  • OCD is often accompanied by depression
  • sometimes involves other negative emotions such as irrational guilt
• cognitive characteristics of OCD

  obsessive thoughts (internal components)

  • major feature of OCD is obsessive thoughts
  • The obsessions are often uncontrollable which create anxiety. The person recognises that the obsessional thoughts and impulses are a result of their own mind
• obsessions are internal components because they are thoughts, and compulsions are external components because they are behaviours