It's the Feeling Inside My Head: A Qualitative Analysis of Mental Contamination in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E. Coughtrey ◽  
Roz Shafran ◽  
Michelle Lee ◽  
Stanley J. Rachman
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Symptom Presentation ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Contamination Fear ◽  
Mental Contamination

Background: It was recently proposed that feelings of dirtiness and pollution can arise in the absence of physical contact with a contaminant. At present, there is limited data regarding the qualitative features of this construct of “mental contamination”, although it is hypothesized to be particularly relevant to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), where compulsive washing in response to contamination fear is a common symptom presentation (Rachman, 2006). Aims and method: The aim of this research was to explore the qualitative features of mental contamination in 20 people with contamination-based OCD, using a semi-structured interview. Results: All participants reported times when they had felt dirty or contaminated in the absence of physical contact with a dirty or dangerous object. Mental contamination generated diffuse feelings of internal dirtiness not localized to the hands, which evoked urges to wash (100% participants), neutralize (80% participants) and avoid (85% participants). Conclusions: In support of the theory outlined by Rachman (2006), mental contamination was found to take a number of forms, be primarily associated with a human source, generate internal dirtiness and cause emotional distress and urge to wash. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed and ideas for future research are proposed.

Sensitivity to being betrayed and betraying others in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Louise Howkins ◽  
Josie Frances Adeline Millar ◽  
Paul M. Salkovskis
Keyword(s):  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
National Health ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Mental Contamination ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract:Objectives Mental contamination (MC) describes subjective internal feelings of ‘dirtiness’ which are experienced in the absence of direct physical contact/contaminants. There isevidence of a link between MC in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the experience of past betrayals. However, it has also been noted that “perpetrators” also experience MC. We aimed to replicate the previous finding of specificity of OCD for sensitivity to being betrayed, and to extend this by evaluating whether people with high MC OCD are also relatively more sensitive to the idea that they might betray others compared to those with low levels of MC OCD.Design A cross-sectional, between-groups design was used.Method Four groups, high MC OCD (N= 60), low MC OCD (N=61), depression (N=28) andnon-clinical controls (N=46) completed online questionnaires. Participants were recruitedthrough the National Health Service (NHS) and social media.Results Relative to all groups, the high MC OCD group had significantly higher scores both for betrayal sensitivity and sensitivity to betraying others. The depression group showed similar levels to low MC OCD in betrayal sensitivity but were significantly lower (and comparable to non-clinical controls) in sensitivity to betraying others.Conclusions Betrayal sensitivity occurs trans-diagnostically. There may be a specific linkbetween the development of OCD and the perception of betraying others, perhaps linked to the trauma of being betrayed making those so affected more likely to worry about their own responsibility for betraying others.

Additive and Alternative Approaches to Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordana Muroff ◽  
Abigail Ross ◽  
Joseph Rothfarb
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Specific Alternative ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy are “gold standard” treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), complementary and alternative treatments are frequently sought for anxiety disorders. The purpose of this chapter is to review and discuss the available research on the application, efficacy and effectiveness of complementary and alternative methods for treating OCD. The first section identifies and reviews studies focusing on specific alternative and complementary treatments that are independent from, or work in conjunction with CBT, such as yoga, herbal remedies, motivational strategies, and bibliotherapy. The second section discusses alternative and complementary methods of more mainstream CBT and related techniques, with a particular focus on technology-supported approaches. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the methodological issues in the existing research on complementary and alternative methods in the treatment of OCD, questions for future research, and implications for providers.

scholarly journals Patient-reported outcomes in obsessive-compulsive disorder

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-254 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Psychometric Evaluation ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome Measures ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Patient Reported

The purpose of the article was to provide an overview of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and related measures that have been examined in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The current review focused on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that evaluated three broad outcome domains: functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and OCD-related symptoms. The present review ultimately included a total of 155 unique articles and 22 PROMs. An examination of the PROs revealed that OCD patients tend to suffer from significant functional disability, and report lower HRQoL than controls. OCD patients report greater symptom severity than patients with other mental disorders and evidence indicates that PROMs are sensitive to change and may be even better than clinician-rated measures at predicting treatment outcomes. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the measures reviewed lacked patient input in their development. Future research on PROMs must involve patient perspectives and include rigorous psychometric evaluation of these measures.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study Exploring Neurodiversity Conference Themes, Representations and Evidence-Based Justifications for the Explicit Inclusion and Valuing of OCD

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-138
Author(s):  
Damian Mellifont
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

The inclusivity of neurodiversity conferences is a new field of research. Utilising Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as an example, this study aims to critically investigate issues of inclusivity in the flyers advertising these conferences. This exploratory research is informed by 22 conference flyers and 14 scholarly articles retrieved from respective internet and Google Scholar enquiries. These articles offered evidence-based justifications for a greater inclusion of OCD-focused content in neurodiversity conferences. The study cautions that the lack of explicit inclusion of OCD as a topic among conferences can be harmful to persons who identify with this particular type of neurodivergence. This study offers a sound base from which future research focusing upon other forms of neurodivergence and issues of neurodiversity conference inclusivity and intersectionality can develop.

scholarly journals Exploring aspects of the cognitive behavioural model of physical hoarding in relation to digital hoarding behaviours

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 205520761988217
Author(s):  
Susan Thorpe ◽  
Alexander Bolster ◽  
Nick Neave
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Emotional Attachment ◽  
Positive Relationships ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Behavioural Model ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

While the hoarding of physical objects has been extensively explored, there is little research relating to the hoarding of digital materials. The research that has been conducted suggests that digital hoarding (DH) behaviours appear to have some similarities with physical hoarding (PH) behaviours, and can be just as psychologically distressing. This study uses the framework of the cognitive behavioural model of PH to explore DH behaviours, including possible similarities regarding emotional attachment to digital possessions, and possible links with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and indecisiveness. For the study, 282 participants completed an online survey which measured levels of digital and physical hoarding, compulsive acquisition, OCD, indecisiveness and mood. Strong emotional attachments to particular types of digital possessions were evident: this was especially true for photographs and videos. Significant positive relationships were found between all the variables measured. However, a regression analysis revealed that only OCD and PH scores were significant predictors of DH. DH thus appears to share some of the features of PH. Implications, limitations and future research possibilities are discussed.

scholarly journals Impacts of Stressful Life Events and Traumatic Experiences on Onset of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keitaro Murayama ◽  
Tomohiro Nakao ◽  
Aikana Ohno ◽  
Sae Tsuruta ◽  
Hirofumi Tomiyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Contamination Fear ◽  
Original Meaning

Not a few patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have experienced events that affected the onset. The onset of OCD is not limited to the original meaning of trauma; rather, traumatic experiences such as unexpected exposure to contaminants or various stressful life events often cause the onset of OCD. It would be useful to understand the experiences surrounding the onset, including stressful life events and traumatic experiences, for comprehension of the pathophysiology of OCD. In the present study, we investigated the onset conditions of 281 patients with OCD and compared clinical characteristics among groups with or without stressful life events including traumatic experiences. As a result, 172 (61.2%) participants had experienced various stressful life events, and 98 (34%) participants had had traumatic experiences before the onset. Furthermore, the participants who had had stressful life events showed more contamination/fear symptoms compared with those without such life events. Meanwhile, the patients who had had specific traumatic experiences showed a tendency toward hoarding obsessions. To comprehend the pathophysiology of OCD, it is important to understand the stressful life events that precede its onset.

Cognitive functioning in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a meta-analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1121-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Y. Shin ◽  
T. Y. Lee ◽  
E. Kim ◽  
J. S. Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Confounding Factors ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Pubmed Database

BackgroundSubstantial empirical evidence has indicated impairment in the cognitive functioning of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) despite inconsistencies. Although several confounding factors have been investigated to explain the conflicting results, the findings remain mixed. This study aimed to investigate cognitive dysfunction in patients with OCD using a meta-analytic approach.MethodThe PubMed database was searched between 1980 and October 2012, and reference lists of review papers were examined. A total of 221 studies were identified, of which 88 studies met inclusion criteria. Neuropsychological performance and demographic and clinical variables were extracted from each study.ResultsPatients with OCD were significantly impaired in tasks that measured visuospatial memory, executive function, verbal memory and verbal fluency, whereas auditory attention was preserved in these individuals. The largest effect size was found in the ability to recall complex visual stimuli. Overall effect estimates were in the small to medium ranges for executive function, verbal memory and verbal fluency. The effects of potentially confounding factors including educational level, symptom severity, medication status and co-morbid disorders were not significant.ConclusionsPatients with OCD appear to have wide-ranging cognitive deficits, although their impairment is not so large in general. The different test forms and methods of testing may have influenced the performance of patients with OCD, indicating the need to select carefully the test forms and methods of testing used in future research. The effects of various confounding variables on cognitive functioning need to be investigated further and to be controlled before a definite conclusion can be made.

scholarly journals Consider Role of Glutamatergic Habenula-projecting Globus Pallidus in OCD

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (04) ◽  
pp. 203-204
Author(s):  
Anton J.M. Loonen ◽  
Svetlana A. Ivanova
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Globus Pallidus ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Specific Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Glutamatergic System ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Primary Relationship

AbstractRecently, in a review article in this journal, Vlček and colleagues described the putative role played by the glutamatergic system in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and how this might explain the effects of certain treatments. They describe a neuroanatomical model, which includes a specific role of the amygdala-hippocampus complex (AHC) and would complete the classic cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) mechanism of OCD. The role of the AHC can perhaps be better understood when considering its ancient relationship to the rest of the forebrain of mammals. This leads to distinguishing between primary (lamprey-like), secondary (amphibian-like) and tertiary (mammal-like) parts of the forebrain including amygdaloid, ventral extrapyramidal and dorsal extrapyramidal systems, respectively. A specific role in OCD may be played by the habenula-projecting part of the pallidum, which evaluated the result of behaviour in human’s earliest vertebrate ancestors. The addition of these primary relationship to the authors’ description could be fruitful when planning the future research, as suggested by them.

Cognitive Approaches to Understanding Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Taylor ◽  
Jonathan S. Abramowitz ◽  
Dean McKay ◽  
Carrie Cuttler
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Models ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Conceptual Problems ◽  
Cognitive Approaches

This chapter focuses on cognitive models of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders. It begins with a historical perspective, in which the antecedents of cognitive models are described. Contemporary cognitive models are then reviewed, predictions derived from the models are identified, and empirical evidence for these predictions is summarized. This is followed by a review of cognitive models of four OC-related disorders: hoarding, hypochondriasis, body dysmorphic disorder, and trichotillomania. Finally, the conceptual problems with cognitive models of OCD and related disorders are identified, suggestions for improvements to the models are made, and potentially fruitful directions for future research are proposed.

scholarly journals Comorbidity in Juvenile Obsessive—Compulsive Disorder: A Report from India

2000 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
YC Janardhan Reddy ◽  
P Srinivas Reddy ◽  
S Srinath ◽  
S Khanna ◽  
SP Sheshadri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽  
Tic Disorders ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Disruptive Disorders

Objective: Using minimal exclusion criteria, to assess systematically the psychiatric comorbidity in children and adolescents with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and compare the findings with those of previous studies. Method: Fifty-four children and adolescents who satisfied DSM-III-R criteria for OCD were assessed using a structured interview schedule, the Children's version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS), and the questionnaire for tic disorders. All 54 subjects were recruited from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) services of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, South India. Diagnoses were determined consensually after a review of all the available data. Results: Comorbidity was found in 69% of the sample: 22% were diagnosed with disruptive disorders; 20% met criteria for mood disorders; 19% had anxiety disorders; and 17% had tic disorders. Only 1 subject had bipolar disorder, and none had psychosis. The rates for individual diagnoses—in particular, the rates for disruptive disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis—were considerably lower than those reported in previous studies. Conclusions: Patterns of comorbidity in this study differed from those previously reported. Novel patterns of comorbidity with disruptive disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis reported in a few recent studies were not replicated in this study. These differences are probably due to different ascertainment methods. Comorbidity needs to be assessed in large epidemiological samples before definite associations can be made between certain comorbid disorders and juvenile OCD.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document