Characteristics of OCD

• What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

  -anxiety and distress (obsessive thoughts are unpleasant, the urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety)

  -accompanying depression

  -guilt and disgust
• What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

  -compulsions are repetitive

  -compulsions reduce anxiety

  -avoidance (reduces anxiety by keeping away from situations that may trigger it)
• What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

  -obsessive thoughts

  -insight: they may understand that these are irrational