Characteristics of OCD

• What are the characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

  Behavioural, emotional, and cognitive characteristics
• What are the biological explanations for OCD?

  Genetic and neural explanations
• What is the biological approach to treating OCD?

  Drug therapy
• What are the behavioural symptoms of Jaz's OCD?

  Washing hands, cleaning house, making visitors wash
• What emotional symptom does Jaz experience due to her OCD?

  Anxiety with brief relief from compulsions
• What cognitive symptoms does Jaz have related to her OCD?

  Recurring thoughts of disease and dirt
• What insight does Jaz have about her OCD?

  She knows her anxiety and behaviour are irrational
• What are the characteristics of compulsions in OCD?

  • Repetitive behaviours (e.g., counting, checking)
  • Reduce anxiety temporarily
  • Impair everyday functioning
• How do people with OCD feel due to their condition?

  They feel anxious and distressed
• What irrational feelings do people with OCD experience?

  Guilt and disgust about germs
• What cognitive aspect describes the thoughts of people with OCD?

  Recurrent and persistent intrusive thoughts
• What does hypervigilance mean in the context of OCD?

  Constant alertness to potential hazards