Behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of OCD

BEHAVIOURAL

Behavioural characteristics of OCD centre on compulsive behaviour, which has two key properties. Firstly, compulsions are repetitive in nature, and sufferers feel compelled to repeat a behaviour, such as repetitive hand washing or checking doors multiple times. Secondly, compulsions are used to manage or reduce anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts. For example, excessive hand washing is caused by an excessive fear of germs and bacteria and is, therefore, a direct response to the obsession. Similarly, checking locks multiple times is a compulsion in response to the obsessive fear of a break-in. The compulsive behaviour is time-consuming and can interfere with the sufferer's daily life.

EMOTIONAL

The emotional characteristics of OCD are mainly characterised by anxiety, which is caused by obsessions. Sufferers of OCD experience persistent and/or forbidden thoughts and ideas that cause high levels of anxiety. The anxiety can lead to depression, as it can result in a low mood and a loss of pleasure in everyday activities, which are often interrupted by obsessive thoughts and repetitive compulsions. It is not uncommon for OCD sufferers to feel ashamed or guilty about their obsessions and compulsions, which can further exacerbate their anxiety and depression. The emotional distress caused by OCD can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life and may lead to social withdrawal and isolation.

COGNITIVE

The cognitive characteristics of OCD are characterised by recurring and persistent obsessive thoughts. These thoughts can be related to different themes, such as fear of contamination by germs, concerns about safety, religious fears of punishment for immoral behaviour, and a need for perfectionism. These obsessive thoughts can be distressing and cause significant anxiety in sufferers of OCD. Some OCD sufferers adopt cognitive strategies to cope with their obsessions. For example, those with religious obsessions may repeatedly pray to alleviate their anxiety. It is also common for sufferers to have an awareness that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, but they still feel compelled to perform them. Moreover, sufferers of OCD may exhibit selective attention towards stimuli that generate anxiety, which is similar to the selective attention found in phobias.