Characteritsics

• OCD

  A disorder in which a person has recurrent and unwanted thoughts, a need to preform repetitive and rigid actions or both 

  Obsessions = thoughts -> ideas, impulses, mental image that; occor automatically, unwanted, repetitive, intrusive, cause anxiety 

  Compulsions = actions -> mental/ behavioural act that; is rigid, compelled, largely uncontrolled, reduces anxiety 
• DSM main symptoms

  • Recurrent obsessions and compulsions  
  • Recognition that the obsessions and compulsions are excessive and unreasonable  
  • Persons distress/ impaired and daily life is disrupted 
• behavioural characteristics

  Behavioural = how a person acts/behaves which leads to carrying out repetitive actions to reduce anxiety 

  • Compulsions -> repetitive = feel compelled to repeat a behaviour they know is irrational, reduce anxiety = compulsions performed to manage the anxiety caused by obsessions  
  • Avoidance = suffers avoid situations which trigger anxiety  
• Emotional Characteristics

  Emotional = how a person feels when experiencing anxiety which accompanies the obsessions/compulsions 

  • Anxiety/ distress -> obsessive thoughts are unpleasant and threatening causing overwhelming anxiety, compulsion create anxiety 
  • Depression -> anxiety, low mood, lack enjoyment in activities  
  • Guilt/disgust -> guilt over being obsessed with minor issues, disgust can be directed at something external 
• Cognitive Characteristics

  Cognitive = how a person thinks, and OCD suffers usually plagued with obsessive thoughts  

  • Obsessive thoughts -> intrusive and unpleasant  
  • Insight into excessive anxiety -> aware obsessions and compulsions are not rational, experience catastrophic thoughts about worst case scenarios, hypervigilance = maintain constant alertness and keep attention focused on hazards