Obsessive-compulsive disorder

DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistics manual for mental disorders) recognises OCJ and related conditions which include;

  • OCD
  • Trichotillamania
  • Hoarding disorder
  • Excoriation disorder
Go to page 144 in the 'green haired' book for a definition of all of the above, or better still, type it into google and do some independent research!

What is OCD? 

OCD is a mental health condition where a suffer has recurring thoughts and repetitive behaviours that cannot be controlled.




Behaviour characteristics of OCD (what we do)


Compulsions are repetitive

People with OCD feel compelled to repeat a behaviour, e.g. hand washing, turning off lights, arranging and ordering groups of objects.

Compulsions reduce anxiety

For the majority of OCD suffers the repetitive behaviour is performed in an effort to reduce anxiety, e.g. excessive hand washing in a response to an obsessive and irrational fear of germs.

Avoidance

People with OCD often avoid situations that can trigger their OCD. This avoidance then can come to have a huge impact on their life. For example, someone with an obsessive fear of germs may refuse to touch door handles. This can go on to hugely impact their life, especially in the form of reduced social activity.




Emotional Characteristics of OCD (what we feel)

Anxiety and Distress

OCD is a highly unpleasant emotional experience because of the feelings of anxiety that accompany the obsessions and compulsions. The overwhelming thoughts can be frightening and the urge to repeat behaviours comes with its own anxieties. 

Depression

OCD can often lead to depression and lack of enjoyment in life and simple everyday activities because the obsessive behaviour gets in the way. The compulsive behaviour can bring relief but this only temporary.

Guilt and disgust

OCD can often also come with negative feelings of guilt and disgust that can be overwhelming.


Cognitive characteristics of OCD (what we think)

Obsessive thoughts

Roughly 90% of OCD suffers report their main cognitive feature of the disorder to be obsessive thoughts, e.g. repetitive thoughts of germs or worries that a door has been left unlocked or a light left on.

Cognitive coping strategies

People with OCD will often adopt cognitive coping strategies to help deal with the above obsessions. For example, someone constantly worried about the light being left on will continually go back into the room to check on it

OCD suffers accept irrationality

People with OCD are aware and accept that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, however despite this acceptance they are still unable to control their thoughts and behaviour







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