Thought control strategies in patients with severe obsessive–compulsive disorder: Treatment effects and suicide risk

Treatment effectiveness of exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might be attenuated in part because of the complex, heterogeneous nature of OCD. Previous studies have indicated relationships between thought control strategies and OCD severity. This study replicates and extends these findings by using a dimensional measure of OCD and examining changes in thought control strategies across treatment. Participants included 49 patients with OCD attending residential and intensive outpatient treatment. Statistical analyses revealed significant reduction in worry and punishment thought control strategies from pre- to posttreatment as well as relationships between reduced use of specific thought control strategies and specific types of OCD symptomatology. Findings suggest that developing and employing modified forms of treatment more aligned with individuals’ specific OCD symptomatology could be worthwhile to improve treatment of OCD.

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Misinterpretations of intrusions, obsessive beliefs and thought control strategies in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.5455/apd.36381 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 183

Author(s):

Orcun Yorulmaz ◽

Gulbahar Bastug ◽

Verda Tuzer ◽

Erol Goka

Keyword(s):

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Obsessive Beliefs ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Thought Control ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Thought Control Strategies

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Thought Control Strategies Used by Parents Reporting Postpartum Obsessions

Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1891/jcpiq-v20i4a007 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 435-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Karin E. Larsen ◽

Stefanie A. Schwartz ◽

Stephen P. Whiteside ◽

Maheruh Khandker ◽

Katherine M. Moore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

Treatment Seeking ◽

Behavioral Models ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Thought Control ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Thought Control Strategies ◽

Cognitive Behavioral Models

Previous research has established that parents commonly experience intrusive harm-related thoughts pertaining to their infants (e.g., “My baby might die from SIDS”). Cognitive-behavioral models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) posit that maladaptive strategies for managing such thoughts play a role in the development and maintenance of obsessional problems. In the present study, we examined (1) the strategies parents used to manage unwanted infant-related thoughts and (2) the relationships between thought control strategies and obsessional and depressive symptoms. Non-treatment-seeking parents (n = 75) of healthy newborns completed measures of intrusive thoughts, thought control strategies, and obsessional and depressive symptoms. Mothers and fathers did not differ in their use of various thought control strategies. Strategies involving distraction, self-punishment, and reappraisal of the intrusive thought were positively related to the severity of obsessional symptoms. Punishment was also positively associated with depressive symptoms. Results are discussed in terms cognitive-behavioral models of OCD.

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The Role of Magical Thinking, Religiosity and Thought-Control Strategies in Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in a Turkish Adult Sample

Behaviour Change ◽

10.1017/bec.2015.16 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. Ekin Eremsoy ◽

Mujgan Inozu

Keyword(s):

Control Strategies ◽

Magical Thinking ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Thought Control ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Thought Control Strategies ◽

The Relationship ◽

Unwanted Thoughts

Background: It has been suggested that magical thinking is related to both obsessions and compulsions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Recent studies have indicated the significant relationship between level of religiosity and beliefs about the importance and need to control unwanted thoughts in OCD. People also use diverse strategies to control their unwanted thoughts. Aims: The present study aimed to examine the interrelationships between magical thinking and worry and punishment as thought-control strategies in mediating the relationship between religiosity and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms in a Turkish sample. Methods: The sample of the present study was comprised of 179 non-clinical, community-based participants who completed measures of OC symptoms (measured with the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory — Revised), magical thinking (measured with the Magical Ideation Scale), religiosity, and thought-control strategies (measured with the Thought Control Questionnaire). Results: Both worry and punishment as thought-control strategies and magical thinking mediated the links between religiosity and OC symptoms. Furthermore, the relationship between religiosity and OC symptoms was mediated by magical thinking through punishment and worry. Conclusions: Findings pointing out the mediating role of magical thinking through punishment and worry in the relationship between religiosity and OC symptoms are novel and need to be replicated in future studies.

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Thought Control Strategies in Adolescents: Links with OCD Symptoms and Meta-Cognitive Beliefs

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s135246581200001x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 438-451 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Charlotte Wilson ◽

Martin Hall

Keyword(s):

Social Control ◽

Perceived Control ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Thought Control ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Cognitive Behavioural ◽

Cognitive Beliefs ◽

Adolescent Sample ◽

Thought Control Strategies

Background: The perceived control of intrusive thoughts is important in our understanding of a variety of psychological disorders, but particularly in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Little research has explored thought control strategies in younger populations, despite the frequent onset of OCD in childhood. Aims: This study examined thought control strategies and meta-cognitive beliefs in relation to Obsessive Compulsive (OC) interference scores in an adolescent sample. Method: A non-referred sample of 151 adolescents aged 13–16 completed the Thought Control Questionnaire, the Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire – Adolescent version, and the Leyton Obsessional Inventory – Child Version. Results: Adolescents reported using distraction and worry as thought control strategies as much as adults, but social control and reappraisal less frequently, with adolescent males also reporting less use of punishment as a strategy. The strategies of worry and punishment, and positive beliefs about worry, uncontrollability and danger beliefs (UCD) and superstition punishment and responsibility beliefs (SPR) predicted OC interference scores. Furthermore, these meta-cognitive beliefs mediated the relationships between punishment and worry and OC interference scores. Conclusions: Given the similarities between our results and those from research exploring these variables in adults, it is proposed that cognitive behavioural models of OCD that have been developed in adult populations may be relevant to adolescents, but that meta-cognitive beliefs about superstition, punishment and responsibility may be important in adolescence.

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