Characteristics of OCD

Cards (9)

  • Compulsions - repetitive and intrusive thoughts focused around the stimulus which reduce anxiety through being a method of acting upon obsessive thoughts
  • Avoidance behaviour - intentionally avoiding situations where you might feel compelled to carry out compulsions
  • Compulsions reduce anxiety - carry out compulsions decreases anxiety levels
  • Accompanying depression - due to the constant compulsion to carry out compulsive/repetitive behaviours, which often interfere with day to day functioning and relationships
  • Guilt and disgust - feeling trapped in a cycle of compulsions
  • Anxiety - acknowledgement that the obsessive thoughts are irrational, but despair at the fact that they will always lead to compulsive behaviours
  • Cognitive coping strategies - help to deal with obsessions e.g. carrying hand sanitiser
  • Obsessive thoughts - these are repetitive, focus on the stimulus, are intrusive, cause excessive amounts of anxiety and lead to compulsive behaviours
  • Acknowledgement - they are aware that their anxiety is excessive and irrational