OCD

• What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

  Compulsions:

  Compulsion are repetitive- compelling feelings to repeat a behaviour

  Compulsions reduce anxiety- managing the anxiety produced by obsessions, compulsions reduce this

  Avoidance- attempting to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it
• What are the 3 emotional characteristics of OCD?

  Anxiety/distress- powerful anxieties/worries that accompany obsessions and compulsions (compulsions tend to relieve this temporarily)

  Depression- OCD is often accompanied by depression

  Guilty/disgust- irrational guilt over minor issues or disgust directed at external scenarios or the self
• What are the 3 cognitive characteristics of OCD?

  Obsessive thoughts- recurring thoughts that are unpleasant and usually are irrational worries

  Cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions- such as praying or meditating to manage anxiety

  Excessive anxiety- sufferers are aware their obsessions and compulsions aren't rational and tend to be hypervigilant
• What is the difference between obsessions and compulsions?

  • Obsessions are internal components because they are intrusive thoughts
  • Compulsions are external components because they are repetitive behaviours carried out