OCD

Question 1

What is OCD?

Answer 1

A mental disorder involving obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviours).

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 2

Compulsions and avoidance.

Question 3

Explain what compulsions and repetitive actions are (behavioural characteristic)

Answer 3

Actions repeated to reduce anxiety, such as handwashing or checking.

Question 4

Explain what “compulsions to reduce anxiety” is (behavioural characteristic)

Answer 4

Behaviours performed because they temporarily lower the distress caused by obsessions.

Question 5

Explain what avoidance is (behavioural characteristic)

Answer 5

Staying away from situations that trigger obsessions to prevent anxiety.

Question 6

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 6

Anxiety/distress, depression, and guilt/disgust.

Question 7

Explain what anxiety and distress is (emotional characteristic)

Answer 7

Obsessions create intense anxiety, and compulsions often come with overwhelming stress.

Question 8

Explain what accompanying depression is (emotional characteristic)

Answer 8

Low mood and loss of pleasure occur because OCD disrupts daily life.

Question 9

Explain what guilt and disgust is (emotional characteristic)

Answer 9

People may feel guilt over intrusive thoughts or disgust toward themselves or stimuli.

Question 10

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Answer 10

Obsessive thoughts, cognitive coping strategies, and insight into excessive anxiety.

Question 11

Explain what obsessive thoughts are (cognitive characteristic)

Answer 11

Repeated, intrusive, unwanted thoughts such as fears of contamination or harm.

Question 12

Explain what “cognitive coping strategies” are (cognitive characteristic)

Answer 12

Mental techniques (like praying or counting) used to manage intrusive thoughts.

Question 13

Explain what “insight into excessive anxiety” is (cognitive characteristic)

Answer 13

People recognise their obsessions and compulsions are unreasonable but still feel driven to perform them.

Question 14

What is Beck’s cognitive therapy and explain what it does

Answer 14

Identifies and challenges negative, irrational thoughts to change how the patient interprets events.

Question 15

What is Elli’s REBT and explain what it does

Answer 15

Challenges irrational beliefs using the ABC model and replaces them with rational, healthier beliefs.

Question 16

What is one strength of cognitive behavioural therapy?

Answer 16

It is highly effective, with many studies showing significant improvement in symptoms.

Question 17

What is cognitive behavioural therapy?

Answer 17

A therapy combining cognitive strategies (challenging thoughts) and behavioural techniques (changing actions) to reduce psychological disorders.

Question 18

What is one limitation of cognitive behavioural therapy?

Answer 18

It may not work for severe cases where patients lack motivation or cannot engage with thinking-based tasks.