Characteristics

• What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

  • Compulsions that are repetitive and reduce anxiety
  • Avoidance - e.g. avoiding germs that triggers repetitive hand washing
• What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

  • Anxiety and distress - obsessive thoughts are unpleasant
  • Accompanying depression - lack of enjoyment in activities
  • Guilt and disgust - e.g. disgust at dirt, or guilt over something not being clean enough
• What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

  • Obsessive thoughts
  • Cognitive coping strategies - e.g. a religious person praying excessively to get over compulsions/anxiety
  • Insight into excessive anxiety - they are aware that it is abnormal