Characteristics of OCD

• 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