OCD: Psychopathology

• AO1


  - OCD is a disease characterised by obsessions and/or compulsive behaviour

  -A compulsion- a behaviour i.e something you do

  -An obsession - a cognition i.e takes place in the mind
• AO1 - behavioural characteristics of ocd


  repetition:

  -OCD people feel compelled to repeat a behaviour

  Anxiety reduction

  Irrational anxiety:

  -Compulsive behaviours occur to manage the anxiety

  Avoidance:

  -People with OCD tend to try manage their OCD by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
• AO1 - emotional characteristics of OCD


  anxiety&distress:

  - Obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and frightening and so is the anxiety that goes with it urges to repeat a behaviour

  Depression:

  - OCD is often accompanied by depression, compulsive behaviour can be a relief but this is temporary

  Guilt:

  - OCD involves irrational guilt e.g over minor moral issues
• AO1 - cognitive characteristics of OCD


  Obsessive thoughts:

  - Obsessive thoughts that repeat again and again are unpleasant

  Hyper-vigilant:

  - Maintain constant alertness to keep attention focused on potential hazards

  Cognitive coping strategies:

  - Responding by adapting cog coping strategies to deal with the obsessions e.g a religious person tormented by obsessive guilt may respond by praying