Characteristics of OCD

• DSM-5 categories of OCD : a condition characterised by obsessions and / or compulsive behaviour. Obsessions one cognitive, compulsions are behavioural.

  • Trichotillomania - compulsive hair pulling
  • Hoarding disorder - compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything, regardless of its value.
  • Excoriation disorder - compulsive skin picking
• BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS - ACT

  • Compulsions : are repetitive, typically people with OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour. This may include hand washing, counting, praying, tidying.
  • Compulsions reduce anxiety : 10% of people with OCD experience compulsive behaviour alone. For the majority, compulsive behaviours are an attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions. Compulsive hand washing = obsessive fear of germs.
  • Avoidance: try to reduce anxiety by avoiding what triggers it. This can in turn interfere with leading a normal lile.
• EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS - FEEL 1/2

  • Anxiety and distress: OCD is regarded as an unpleasant emotional experience due to the powerful anxiety which accompanies obsessions & compulsions. Obsessive thoughts are frightening and unpleasant and the accompanied anxiety is overwhelming. The urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety.
• EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS - FEEL 2/2

  • Accompanying depression : so anxiety con be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities. Compulsive behaviour tends to bring some relief from anxiety but this is temporary.
  • Guilt and disgust : OCD can also involve other negative emotions, irrational guilt over minor moral issues or disgust directed at something external like dirt or at self.
• COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTICS - THINK 1/2

  • Obsessive thoughts : 90% of people with OCD experience obsessive thoughts. These vary from person to person but are, overall, unpleasant.
  • Cognitive coping strategies: people can respond to obsessive thoughts by adopting cognitive coping strategies to deal with them. A religious person tormented by guilt will pray. This can help manage the anxiety but can make the person appear abnormal to others.
• COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTICS - THINK 2/2

  • Insight into excessive anxiety: people with OCD are aware their compulsions / obsessions aren't rational (this is necessary for an OCD diagnosis ). People with OCD experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified. They also tend to be hypervigilant; they maintain constant alertness & keep their attention focused on potential hazards.