A01

• What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?

  An anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from repetitive behaviour (compulsions) accompanied by obsessive thinking (obsessions)
• What is an obsession?

  Persistent thoughts which recur over and over again and create anxiety (e.g. that germs are everywhere)
• What are compulsions?

  Repetitive behaviours carried out to reduce the anxiety created by obsessions (e.g. repeatedly washing hands to get rid of germs)
• List and outline the four categories of OCD recognised by the DSM-5

  1. OCD characterised by either obsessions and /or compulsions

  2. Trichotillomania - compulsive hair pulling

  3. Hoarding disorder - the compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything regardless of its value

  4. Excoriation disorder - compulsive skin picking
• State two behavioural characteristics of OCD

  1. Repetitive compulsions and compulsions to reduce anxiety

  2. Avoidance
• State three emotional characteristics of OCD

  1. Anxiety and stress

  2. Embarrassment or shame

  3. Depression
• State three cognitive characteristics of OCD

  1. Intrusive thoughts or impulses

  2. Obsessions

  3. Aware of excessive anxiety
• Explain why compulsions are two distinct behavioural characteristics of OCD

  Patients experience repetitive compulsions which involve repeating specific unconcealed behaviours; they may be physical (e.g. hand washing) or mental (e.g. counting, tidying) which then trigger their need to complete these behaviours to reduce and manage the anxiety caused by obsessions
• Which type of characteristics are compulsions and obsessions?

  Compulsions = behavioural

  Obsessions = cognitive
• Explain the distinct difference between someone experiencing OCD versus schizophrenia despite the similarities between the two disorders

  OCD is categorised by an acute awareness that the anxiety caused by the obsessions and compulsions is excessive, irrational and unreasonable