Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by obsessive thoughts that create anxiety and can only be alleviated by compulsive behaviours. I shall therefore start with the cognitive characteristics:
Cognitive Characteristics
a. Obsessive thoughts
Central to the disorder, these thoughts are intrusive, unpleasant and ever-present. Examples of obsessive thoughts include irrational thoughts that germs are everywhere and dangerous, awful events are going to happen to friends and family, that important behaviour, like switching off the iron, has been overlooked. Crucially, the patient is aware that these thoughts are irrational but can do nothing to stop them from reoccurring.
b. Hyper-vigilance
The patient is on a continuous state of high alert, on the lookout for potential hazards such as dirt, smells, the number 13 etc.
Behavioural Characteristics
a. Compulsions
The behaviours that result from the obsessions. These have two components:
b. Repetitive: Compulsions are constantly being carried out. Examples include tapping, counting, hand-washing, praying, tidying.
c. hey reduce anxiety: For a person obsessed with a fear of germs, hand washing reduces their anxiety. Those obsessed by a fear that something awful will happen to a loved one if they don’t tap, tapping will reduce anxiety.
d. Avoidance
Some forms of OCD can result in situations being avoided. An obsessive fear of germs is likely to result in the patient avoiding areas they know to be dirty.
Emotional characteristics
a. Anxiety
The disorder is driven by the anxiety produced by the obsessive thoughts that then trigger the compulsive behaviours. The anxiety can be over-whelming. Example include fears that loved ones will die if the behaviour is not performed.
b. Disgust
Common in sufferers of some forms of OCD, for example fear of germs and illness.
OCD is an anxiety disorder characterised by obsessive thoughts that create anxiety and can only be alleviated by compulsive behaviours. I shall therefore start with the cognitive characteristics:
Cognitive Characteristics
a. Obsessive thoughts
Central to the disorder, these thoughts are intrusive, unpleasant and ever-present. Examples of obsessive thoughts include irrational thoughts that germs are everywhere and dangerous, awful events are going to happen to friends and family, that important behaviour, like switching off the iron, has been overlooked. Crucially, the patient is aware that these thoughts are irrational but can do nothing to stop them from reoccurring.
b. Hyper-vigilance
The patient is on a continuous state of high alert, on the lookout for potential hazards such as dirt, smells, the number 13 etc.
Behavioural Characteristics
a. Compulsions
The behaviours that result from the obsessions. These have two components:
b. Repetitive: Compulsions are constantly being carried out. Examples include tapping, counting, hand-washing, praying, tidying.
c. hey reduce anxiety: For a person obsessed with a fear of germs, hand washing reduces their anxiety. Those obsessed by a fear that something awful will happen to a loved one if they don’t tap, tapping will reduce anxiety.
d. Avoidance
Some forms of OCD can result in situations being avoided. An obsessive fear of germs is likely to result in the patient avoiding areas they know to be dirty.
Emotional characteristics
a. Anxiety
The disorder is driven by the anxiety produced by the obsessive thoughts that then trigger the compulsive behaviours. The anxiety can be over-whelming. Example include fears that loved ones will die if the behaviour is not performed.
b. Disgust
Common in sufferers of some forms of OCD, for example fear of germs and illness.
