Characteristics

• Behavioural characteristics: (compulsive behaviour)

  • Repetitive and unconcealed behaviours performed to reduce anxiety e.g. mental acts such as praying or counting
  • Behaviours are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralise
• Emotional characteristics:

  • Feelings of despair and lack of control
  • Irrational guilt or disgust
• Cognitive characteristics:

  • Obsessive thoughts i.e thoughts that recur over and over again. e.g worries of being contaminated with dirt or germs
  • Aware that their behaviour is excessive, causes feelings of embarrassment and shame