Examining depression symptoms within OCD: the role of experiential avoidance

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Morgan E. Browning ◽  
Nathaniel P. Van Kirk ◽  
Jason W. Krompinger
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Distress Tolerance ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression commonly co-occur. Past research has evaluated underlying mechanisms of depression in the context of other diagnoses, but few to no studies have done this within OCD. Aims: This study examines the relationships between distress tolerance (DT), experiential avoidance (EA), depression, and OCD symptom severity across intensive/residential treatment (IRT) for OCD. It was hypothesized that all variables would be significantly moderately related and EA would emerge as a potential contributing factor to change in depression and OCD symptoms across IRT for OCD. Method: The sample included 311 participants with a primary diagnosis of OCD seeking IRT. Correlations were performed between all variables at both admission and discharge. A two-step hierarchical regression with change in OCD symptoms and change in DT in the first block and change in EA in the second block examined if change in EA explained change in depression above and beyond change in OCD and DT ability. Results: At both admission and discharge, higher EA, lower DT, and higher OCD symptom severity were significantly associated with more depressive symptoms. Change in EA explained a significant amount of variance in change in depression above and beyond change in OCD symptom severity and change in DT. Conclusions: This study expands past results within an OCD sample, emphasizing EA as an important treatment target in OCD. Future studies could utilize samples from other treatment contexts, use a measure of EA specific to OCD, and utilize a longitudinal model that takes temporal precedence into account.

scholarly journals Stuck in my head: Musical obsessions and experiential avoidance

2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (Supplement A) ◽  
pp. 48-62
Author(s):  
Lillian Reuman ◽  
Jennifer Buchholz ◽  
Jonathan Abramowitz
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obsessive Beliefs ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Unique Predictor

Earworms refer to catchy tunes that run repeatedly through a person's mind. Empirical literature regarding earworms is scant; however, some researchers have conceptualized the phenomenon as an unwanted intrusion in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The current study expands upon past research by characterizing the experience of earworms and examining associations of earworm-related distress and interference with theoretical constructs of interest, including obsessive beliefs and experiential avoidance. Two hundred forty participants completed an online survey regarding the experience of musical obsessions (e.g., duration, frequency, distress) and related theoretical constructs (e.g., experiential avoidance) of interest. Descriptive results regarding the frequency, duration, and associated distress and interference of earworms are presented. Furthermore, results reveal that experiential avoidance is a unique predictor of earworm-related distress and interference. Results suggest that interference and distress due to earworms may be related to attempts to suppress them. Study conclusions, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Obsessions and compulsions in Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism

2005 ◽  
Vol 186 (6) ◽  
pp. 525-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailsa J. Russell ◽  
David Mataix-Cols ◽  
Martin Anson ◽  
Declan G. M. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Severity ◽  
High Functioning Autism ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Compulsive Symptom ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Symptom ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

BackgroundObsessive–compulsive behaviours are common and disabling in autistic-spectrum disorders (ASD) but little is known about how they compare with those experienced by people with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).AimTo make such a comparison.MethodA group of adults with high-functioning ASD (n=40) were administered the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale and Symptom Checklist and their symptoms compared with a gender-matched group of adults with a primary diagnosis of OCD (n=45). OCD symptoms were carefully distinguished from stereotypic behaviours and interests usually displayed by those with ASD.ResultsThe two groups had similar frequencies of obsessive–compulsive symptoms, with only somatic obsessions and repeating rituals being more common in the OCD group. The OCD group had higher obsessive–compulsive symptom severity ratings but up to 50% of the ASD group reported at least moderate levels of interference from their symptoms.ConclusionsObsessions and compulsions are both common in adults with high-functioning ASD and are associated with significant levels of distress.

Cognitive Flexibility in Juvenile Anorexia Nervosain Relation to Comorbid Symptoms of Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms and Duration of Illness

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 371-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Rößner ◽  
Izabela Juniak ◽  
Betteke Maria van Noort ◽  
Ernst Pfeiffer ◽  
Ulrike Lehmkuhl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Duration Of Illness

Abstract. Objective: Whereas the evidence in adolescents is inconsistent, anorexia nervosa (AN) in adults is characterized by weak cognitive flexibility. This study investigates cognitive flexibility in adolescents with AN and its potential associations with symptoms of depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and duration of illness. Methods: 69 patients and 63 age-matched healthy controls (HC) from 9 till 19 years of age were assessed using the Trail-Making Test (TMT) and self-report questionnaires. Results: In hierarchical regression analyses, set-shifting ability did not differ between AN and HC, whereas AN patients reported significantly higher rates of depression symptoms and OCD symptoms. Age significantly predicted set-shifting in the total sample. Only among AN patients aged 14 years and older did set-shifting decline with increasing age. Discussion: The presence of AN with depression or OCD symptoms or the duration of illness do not influence cognitive flexibility in children and adolescents. Early interventions may be helpful to prevent a decline in cognitive flexibility in adolescent AN with increasing age.

scholarly journals Coping Strategies, Anxiety and Depression in OCD and Schizophrenia: Changes during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 926
Author(s):  
Ángel Rosa-Alcázar ◽  
José Luis Parada-Navas ◽  
María Dolores García-Hernández ◽  
Sergio Martínez-Murillo ◽  
Pablo J. Olivares-Olivares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
And Coping

Background: The main aim was to examine changes in coping strategies, anxiety and depression in obsessive–compulsive and schizophrenia patients during COVID-19, in addition to controlling the influence of intolerance to uncertainty and experiential avoidance. Method: The first time, the study comprised (15–30 April 2020) 293 patients, 113 of whom were diagnosed with obsessive–compulsive disorder, 61 with schizophrenia and 119 healthy controls, aged 13–77 years (M = 37.89, SD = 12.65). The second time (15–30 November), the study comprised 195 participants (85 obsessive–compulsive patients, 42 schizophrenic patiens and 77 healthy controls participants). The evaluation was carried out through an online survey. Results: The clinical groups worsened over time in cognitive coping, anxiety and depression, while the control group only worsened in depression. Intergroup differences in anxiety, depression and coping strategies were maintained, highlighting the use of some maladaptive strategies (avoidance, spiritual) in clinical groups. Experiential avoidance and tolerance for uncertainty mainly affected coping. Conclusions: The duration of COVID-19 not only produced changes in anxiety and depression in clinical groups but also in coping strategies to face this pandemic and its consequences.

scholarly journals Demography and symptom severity of obsessive compulsive disorder in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional observation

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
Sultana Algin ◽  
Mohammad Waliul Hasnat Sajib ◽  
SM Yasir Arafat
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Axis I

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common disorder and usually runs a chronic course with waxing and waning course. It leads to pervasive impairments in multiple domains of life. The aim of the study was to assess the demographic characteristics of the OCD patients and symptom severity of this disorder. This was a cross-sectional study done in OCD clinic of outpatient department (OPD) of BSMMU, during the period from May, 2015 to April, 2017. Four hundred patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected consecutively. After taking written consent a predetermined questionnaire was filled for each patient through face-to-face interview. Then patients were evaluated covering the following areas: Axis I diagnoses (DSM-IV) and Y-BOCS severity scale. The results showed that, the mean age of the respondents was 26.6 (SD±9.9) years, ranging from 8 to 63 years. According to Y-BOCS symptoms severity used for adult patients found that majority (70%) of the patients had moderate to severe sufferings. Male had co-morbid anxiety disorders (panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia) more but female patients were found more depressive disorders. Female had more hypothyroidism, diabetes, skin disorders and hypertension than male. These demographic status, co-morbidity profile and symptoms severity can serve as the baseline data for a country like Bangladesh and further large scale, multi-centered study would better generalize the study results. Bang J Psychiatry December 2016; 30(2): 23-26

scholarly journals Executive functioning in Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Long Chen ◽  
Oskar Flygare ◽  
John Wallert ◽  
Jesper Enander ◽  
Volen Ivanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Stop Signal Task ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

Objective: To assess executive functions in patients with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) compared with healthy controls. Methods: Adults diagnosed with BDD (n=26) or OCD (n=29) according to DSM-5, and healthy controls (n=28) underwent validated and computerized neuropsychological tests; spatial working memory (SWM), Intra- extra dimensional set shifting (IED) and Stop signal task (SST), from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Test performance was compared between groups, and correlated to standardized symptom severity of BDD and OCD. Significance level was set to p<0.05. Results: There were no statistically significant between-group differences on key outcome measures in SWM, IED, or SST. There was a weak positive correlation between symptom severity and test errors on SWM and IED in both OCD and BDD groups; increased clinical severity were associated with more errors in these tests. Further, there was a negative correlation between symptom severity and SST in the BDD group. Conclusions: Patients with BDD or OCD did not differ from healthy control subjects in terms of test performance, however there were several statistically significant correlations between symptom severity and performance in those with BDD or OCD. More studies on EF in BDD and OCD are required to elucidate if there are differences in EF between these two disorders.

scholarly journals Brain Activation of Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder During a Mental Rotation Task: A Functional MRI Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanghoon Oh ◽  
Wi Hoon Jung ◽  
Taekwan Kim ◽  
Geumsook Shim ◽  
Jun Soo Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
The Relationship

Functional neuroimaging studies have implicated alterations in frontostriatal and frontoparietal circuits in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during various tasks. To date, however, brain activation for visuospatial function in conjunction with symptoms in OCD has not been comprehensively evaluated. To elucidate the relationship between neural activity, cognitive function, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, we investigated regional brain activation during the performance of a visuospatial task in patients with OCD using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Seventeen medication-free patients with OCD and 21 age-, sex-, and IQ-matched healthy controls participated in this study. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained while the subjects performed a mental rotation (MR) task. Brain activation during the task was compared between the two groups using a two-sample t-test. Voxel-wise whole-brain multiple regression analyses were also performed to examine the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptom severity and neural activity during the task. The two groups did not differ in MR task performance. Both groups also showed similar task-related activation patterns in frontoparietal regions with no significant differences. Activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in patients with OCD during the MR task was positively associated with their total Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores. This study identified the specific brain areas associated with the interaction between symptom severity and visuospatial cognitive function during an MR task in medication-free patients with OCD. These findings may serve as potential neuromodulation targets for OCD treatment.

scholarly journals Quality of Life in OCD: Differential Impact of Obsessions, Compulsions, and Depression Comorbidity

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Masellis ◽  
Neil A Rector ◽  
Margaret A Richter
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression Severity ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Objective: An anxiety disorder severely affects the sufferer's quality of life (QOL), and this may be particularly true of those with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). This study examines the differential impact of obsessions, compulsions, and depression comorbidity on the QOL of individuals with OCD. Method: Forty-three individuals diagnosed with OCD according to DSM-IV criteria and experiencing clinically significant obsessions and compulsions completed measures of QOL, obsessive–compulsive symptom severity, and depression severity. Results: Obsession severity was found to significantly predict patient QOL, whereas the severity of compulsive rituals did not impact on QOL ratings. Comorbid depression severity was the single greatest predictor of poor QOL, accounting for 54% of the variance. Conclusions: Given the importance of these symptoms, treatments that directly target obsessions and secondary depression symptoms in OCD are warranted. However, replication of these findings in a prospective cohort study is required, because although the the current study's cross-sectional design allows for the examination of the associations among obsessions, depression, and QOL, it cannot establish their temporal framework (that is, causal relations).

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.

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