OCD

• Obsessive compulsive disorder is a serious anxiety related condition where a  person experiences frequent intrusive obsessional thoughts often followed by repetitive compulsions, impulses or urges
• These compulsions often significantly interfere with the ability to function on a day to day basis
• People with OCD often realise these thoughts are irrational but they believe the only way to relieve the anxiety is to perform compulsive behaviours
• behavioural characteristics of OCD:

  • compulsive behaviours
  • avoidance
• emotional characteristics of OCD:

  • anxiety
  • upset
• cognitive characteristics of OCD:

  • obsession
  • uncontrollable thoughts
• sufferers are unable to control their compulsive behaviours. These are repetitive such as hand washing, counting or praying
• avoidance reduces anxiety
• upset is caused by the knowledge that their obsessions and behaviour are irrational and abnormal. Anxiety and distress can be overwhelming
• The constant thoughts sufferers experience take the form of persistent and uncontrollable thoughts, images, impulses, worries, fears and doubts