Like phobias, it is classified as an anxiety disorder and has two main components, obsession and compulsion. Obsessions are reoccurring and persistent thoughts and compulsions are repetitive behaviours.
Behavioural characteristics
Centres on the compulsive behaviour. Compulsions are repetitive in nature and will feel compelled to repeat a behaviour such as hand washing. These compulsions are to manage or reduce anxiety
Emotional characteristics
Mainly characterised by anxiety. However some sufferers asp experience depression. Obsessions are persistent and or forbidden thoughts and ideas, which cause high levels of anxiety in OCD sufferers
Cognitive characteristics
Obsessive thoughts are the main cognitive characteristics of OCD. Examples of reoccurring thoughts are: fear of contamination, fear of safety, religious fears of retribution, perfectionism
