OCD

• DSM-5 categories of OCD:

  • OCD (characterised by obsessions and/or compulsions)
  • trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling)
  • hoarding disorder (compulsive gathering of possessions and inability to part with anything)
  • excoriation disorder (compulsive skin picking)
• Behavioural characteristics of OCD:

  • compulsions are repetitive (feel compelled to repeat a behaviour)
  • compulsions reduce anxiety (for the vast majority compulsive behaviours are performed in an attempt to manage the anxiety produced by obsessions)
  • avoidance (try to manage OCD by avoiding situations that may trigger anxiety)
• Emotional characteristics of OCD:

  • anxiety and distress (powerful anxiety accompanies both obsessions and compulsions-the urge to repeat a behaviour creates anxiety)
  • accompanying depression (anxiety can be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities)
  • guilt and disgust (irrational guilt for example over minor moral issues or disgust directed against themselves or something external)
• Cognitive characteristics of OCD:

  • Obsessive thoughts
  • Cognitive coping strategies (e.g. a religious person tormented by obsessive guilt may respond by praying)
  • insight into excessive anxiety (people with OCD are aware their obsessions and compulsions are not rational however they tend to experience catastrophic thoughts about the worst case scenarios that might result if their anxieties were justified)