clinical characteristics

• OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by random and intrusive thoughts that come in the form of obsessions or compulsions but usually both.
• obsessions are something someone thinks about
• compulsions are something they do as a result of obsessions
• obsessions are forbidden, innappropriate ideas that don't exist in reality
• compulsions are intense, uncontrollable urges to repetatively perform tasks and behaviours
• compulsions are an attempt to reduce stress
• sufferers of OCD often realise that their thoughts are irrational and innappropriate but cannot conciously control them
• OCD sufferers can also be aware that compulsions are only a short term solution, but they lack other means to cope so they do it anyway. these compulsions can include avoiding triggers
• sufferers obsessions and compulsions are time consuming
• OCD impacts 2 % of the population, there is no real gender difference. however preoccupations with contamination and cleaning are more common in females while religious and sexual are more common in males
• OCD is more common amonst males who have a slow gradual onset with more severe symptoms. whereas, females tend to have suddden onset with fewer severe symptoms
• what are the behavioural symptoms of obsessions

  -> hinder everyday functioning by causing anxiety

  -> social impairment due to anxiety that preventing meaningful interpersonal relationships
• what are the emotional symptoms of obsessions

  -> extreme anxiety
• what are the cognitive symptoms of obsessions?

  -> reccurrent and persistent thoughts

  -> recognised as self generated

  -> realisation of inappropriateness

  -> attention bias towards anxiety creating stimulus
• common obsessions include:

  -> contamination

  -> fear of loss of control

  -> perfectionism

  -> religion
• what are the behavioural symptoms of compulsions

  -> repetitive

  -> hinder everyday functioning

  -> social impairment
• what are the emotional symptoms of distress

  -> distress

  the recognition that these behaviours cant be controlled brings stress
• what are the cognitive symptoms of compulsions?

  -> uncontrollable urges

  -> realisation of innappropriateness
• what are common compulsions?

  -> excessive washing / cleaning

  -> excessive checking

  -> repitition

  -> mental compulsions

  -> hoarding