Sexual response in obsessive–compulsive disorder: the role of obsessive beliefs

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Andrea Pozza ◽  
Donatella Marazziti ◽  
Federico Mucci ◽  
Nicole L. Angelo ◽  
Davide Prestia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Control Model ◽  
Sexual Response ◽  
Dual Control ◽  
Obsessive Beliefs ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Sexual Excitation ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Dual Control Model

Abstract Background. Sexual response in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) research and practice is overlooked. According to the Dual Control Model, satisfactory sexual response is based upon a balance of sexual excitation and inhibition. The assessment of sexual response in OCD may have clinical implications, such as the integration of sex therapy in psychotherapeutic intervention. The present study was aimed at comparing sexual excitation and inhibition levels between OCD patients and matched control subjects, and investigating whether obsessive beliefs might predict sexual excitation/inhibition. Methods. Seventy-two OCD patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD]: 34.50 ± 10.39 years) and 72 matched control subjects (mean age ± SD: 34.25 ± 10.18) were included (62.50% men and 37.50% women in both groups). The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R), the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-46 (OBQ-46), and the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES) were administered. Results. Patients with OCD showed significantly higher levels of sexual excitation, inhibition due to threat of performance failure, and inhibition due to threat of performance consequences than the controls. In addition, the patients with more severe symptoms showed lower excitation than those with less severe symptoms, and those with higher perfectionism had stronger inhibition due to threat of performance failure than those with lower perfectionism. Conclusions. This is the first study exploring sexual response in OCD according to the Dual Control Model. Sexual response is an impaired quality of life outcome in OCD that should be assessed in routine clinical practice. These findings support the importance of addressing specific obsessive beliefs to improve sexuality in OCD patients.

scholarly journals The role of disgust propensity and sensitivity on sexual excitation and inhibition in obsessive-compulsive disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Pozza ◽  
Nicole L. Angelo ◽  
Davide Prestia ◽  
Davide Dèttore
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Sexual Inhibition ◽  
Disgust Sensitivity ◽  
Obsessive Beliefs ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Sexual Excitation ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Performance Consequences ◽  
Dual Control Model ◽  
Disgust Propensity

Sexuality is understudied in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). According to the Dual Control Model, low sexual excitation (SE) and high sexual inhibition (SI) are indicative of a higher probability of experiencing a sexual dysfunction. The present study investigated SE and SI in OCD patients compared with controls. It was hypothesized that OCD patients report lower SE and higher SI than controls. Given their potential role as inhibitors of sexual response, it was hypothesized that in the OCD group higher disgust propensity/sensitivity, contamination/washing symptoms, unacceptable thoughts, and obsessive beliefs predicted lower SE, higher SI due to Threat of Performance Failure, and higher SI due to Threat of Performance Consequences. Seventy-two OCD patients and 72 controls matched on gender/age completed the Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-Revised, Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-46, Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised, and Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales. OCD patients had higher SE, SI due to Threat of Performance Failure, and SI due to Threat of Performance Consequences than controls. In the OCD group, higher disgust sensitivity, SI due to Threat of Performance Consequences, and perfectionism predicted higher SI due to Threat of Performance Failure. Higher SI due to Threat of Performance Failure and contamination/washing symptoms predicted higher SI due to Threat of Performance Consequences. These findings highlight the presence of sexual difficulties in OCD patients, particularly a higher SE and SI. The latter is especially relevant in those patients with higher disgust sensitivity, contamination/washing symptoms and perfectionism. Psychotherapists should assess and target sexuality during clinicalpractice with OCD patients.

Preliminary Evidence on How the Dual Control Model Predicts Female Sexual Response to a Bogus Negative Feedback

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412090731
Author(s):  
Reina Granados ◽  
Joana Carvalho ◽  
Juan Carlos Sierra
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Arousal ◽  
Negative Feedback ◽  
Control Model ◽  
Sexual Response ◽  
Dual Control ◽  
Sexual Performance ◽  
Sexual Excitation ◽  
Subjective Sexual Arousal ◽  
Sexual Responses ◽  
Dual Control Model

The Dual Control Model of sexual response has been mostly tested with men. As such, there is a lack of evidence on how such model applies to women’s experience of sexual arousal, particularly when they face a threatening situation such as the threat of sexual performance failure. The aim of the current study was to test whether the Dual Control Model dimensions predict women’s sexual responses to a bogus negative feedback about their sexual performance. In addition, 22 women were exposed to a sexually explicit film clip, while their genital arousal was being measured. During this presentation, a bogus negative feedback, aimed at increasing women’s anxiety about their sexual performance, was provided. Vaginal photopletismography and self-report questions were used as means to evaluate women’s genital and subjective sexual arousal, respectively. The Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women was further used to capture women’s sexual dynamics. Regression analysis on the high-order factors revealed that sexual excitation proneness was the only predictor of the subjective sexual responses, while none of the factors has predicted genital arousal. “Arousability” and “Concerns about sexual function” dimensions predicted subjective sexual arousal. Sexual arousability may prevent women of lowering their subjective sexual responses in a sexually demanding situation, while “Concerns about sexual function” may have the opposite role, thus being a target of clinical interest. This work provides new data on the Dual Control Model of sexual response, and particularly on its role in women’s sexual functioning.

scholarly journals Sexual Dysfunctions and Their Association with the Dual Control Model of Sexual Response in Men and Women with High-Functioning Autism

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Turner ◽  
Peer Briken ◽  
Daniel Schöttle
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Model ◽  
Sexual Response ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Sexual Dysfunctions ◽  
Dual Control ◽  
Sexual Excitation ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Dual Control Model

Adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, repetitive and stereotyped interests and behaviours as well as hyper- and/or hyposensitivities. These disorder specific symptoms could be associated with the development of sexual disorders. The Dual Control Model of Sexual Response presents one approach that is frequently used to explain the emergence of sexual dysfunctions. The aim of the present study was to assess the extent of symptoms of sexual dysfunctions in men and women with ASD and to evaluate their association with the individual propensity of sexual excitation and inhibition as defined by the Dual Control Model. Both men and women with ASD were more likely to report about sexual dysfunctions than individuals from the control group. In men with ASD, sexual inhibition was significantly correlated with the emergence of sexual dysfunctions, while there was no association between sexual functioning and sexual excitation. In women, the opposite pattern was found. Especially the peculiarities in sensitive perception could be responsible for the observed problems with sexual functioning in individuals with ASD. The present findings highlight the great need for specialized treatment programs addressing the frequently observed sexuality-related problems in individuals with ASD. However, up to now such treatment programs are lacking.

scholarly journals Propensity to Sexual Response among Adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-133
Author(s):  
Andrea Pozza ◽  
Donatella Marazziti ◽  
Federico Mucci ◽  
Davide Dèttore
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sexual Response ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Sexual Excitation ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Performance Consequences

Background: Propensity to sexual excitation and inhibition is one of the key dimensions of sexuality. Clinicians working with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) patients rarely assess this and other aspects of sexuality, since treatment targets generally symptom reduction. Literature on sexual functioning in OCD patients is scarce and no study has focused on symptom subtypes, nor investigated the psychological processes related to sexual response. Objective: In the present short report, we describe an exploratory study investigating the association between symptom subtypes and propensity towards sexual excitation/inhibition in OCD patients, controlling for gender, age and antidepressant treatment. Methods: Seventy-two OCD patients (mean age = 34.50 years, 37.50% women) completed the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised and the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales. Results: Patients with more severe compulsive washing habit had a lower propensity towards excitation and a higher one towards inhibition due to threat of performance consequences (i.e., contamination with sexually transmitted diseases/having an unwanted pregnancy). Patients with more severe symptoms of checking showed a higher propensity towards inhibition due to the threat of performance consequences. Gender, age and antidepressant treatment were not related to sexual functioning. Conclusion: Specific OCD symptom subtypes may be associated with some psychological processes involved in sexual response. Sexual well-being should be carefully evaluated by practitioners and should be regarded as a treatment target. Future studies should investigate more comprehensively the processes involved in sexuality.

scholarly journals The Association of Trait Mindfulness and Self-compassion with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms: Results from a Large Survey with Treatment-Seeking Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Leeuwerik ◽  
Kate Cavanagh ◽  
Clara Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Distress Tolerance ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Trait Mindfulness ◽  
Obsessive Beliefs ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Little is known about the role of mindfulness and self-compassion in obsessive-compulsive disorder. This cross-sectional study examined associations of mindfulness and self-compassion with obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and with the obsessive beliefs and low distress tolerance thought to maintain them. Samples of treatment-seeking adults (N = 1871) and non-treatment-seeking adults (N = 540) completed mindfulness, self-compassion, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, obsessive beliefs and distress tolerance questionnaires. Participants with clinically significant obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms reported lower trait mindfulness and self-compassion compared to participants with clinically significant anxiety/depression and to non-clinical controls. Among the clinical sample, there were medium-large associations between mindfulness and self-compassion and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, obsessive beliefs and distress tolerance. Mindfulness and self-compassion were unique predictors of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, controlling for depression severity. Once effects of obsessive beliefs and distress tolerance were controlled, a small effect remained for mindfulness (facets) on obsessing symptoms and for self-compassion on washing and checking symptoms. Directions for future research and clinical implications are considered in conclusion.

Longitudinal Relations of Obsessive Beliefs, Obsessions, and Compulsions During Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 846-857
Author(s):  
Martha J. Falkenstein ◽  
Meghan Schreck ◽  
Sriramya Potluri ◽  
Jacob A. Nota ◽  
Kara N. Kelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Obsessive Beliefs ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder
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