OCD characteristics

• Behavioural characteristics OCD

  -compulsions are repetitive = people feel compelled to repeat behaviours

  -compulsions reduce anxiety = to manage the anxiety created by obsession

  -avoidance = avoid situations that cause them anxiety
• Emotional characteristics OCD

  -anxiety and distress = obsessive thoughts are unpleasant so the repeating a behaviours create anxiety

  -accompanying depression = anxiety accompanied by low mood

  -guilt and disgust = people may feel irrational guilt over minor moral issues.
• Cognitive characteristics OCD

  -obsessions = obsessive thoughts (90% experience) and they vary and tend to be unpleasant

  -cognitive strategies = used to deal with obsessions and to manage the anxiety

  -insight into excessive anxiety = must be aware of the compulsions not being rational so they can be diagnosed