Describe the nature of obsessions and compulsions in obsessive-compulsive disorder, and explain how they differ from

their functional relationship?

Answer:

Obsessions are repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts or images or impulses that may seem silly or crazy, are anxiety-provoking, and are resisted strongly but unsuccessfully. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that are used to reduce anxiety, especially the anxiety associated with the obsessions, and that do not produce any pleasure. Most patients with OCD show both obsessions and compulsions, but this is not necessary for the diagnosis. The person must recognize that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. What's more, the thoughts must not be simply excessive worries about real problems. Most normal people (80-90 experience obsessive thoughts at times. Research suggests that the difference between normal obsessions and clinical obsessions is a matter of degree. In most cases, it would appear that the obsessive thoughts come first and that the compulsive behaviors are often an attempt to cope with the anxiety provoked by the obsessive thoughts.