For around 90% of people with OCD the major cognitive feature of their condition is obsessive thoughts.
These will vary from the person but are always unpleasant.
Cognitive coping strategies
While obsessions are the major cognitive feature, people with OCD respond by adopting cognitive coping strategies to deal with their obsessions.
Insight into excessive anxiety
People with OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational.
Despite this insight, people with OCD experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified.
