Information Processing in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Related Problems

Author(s):  
Adam S. Radomsky ◽  
Gillian M. Alcolado

Information processing research has become increasingly important in understanding a large number of different disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This work, which focuses on the factors affecting attention, encoding (learning), and different types of memory, promises not only to improve our knowledge of the psychopathology of OCD and related problems, but also to influence the treatment of these often severe and debilitating conditions. This chapter reviews the history and research associated with aspects of information processing as they relate to both the psychopathology and treatment of OCD, trichotillomania, and body dysmorphic disorder. This includes descriptions of some experimental methodologies used to assess challenging aspects of cognition in OCD. Consistencies and inconsistencies in the literature are highlighted, and an attempt is made to resolve some of them through conceptualizing information-processing studies as either relevant or irrelevant to the experience of OCD. Ideas and questions for future research are proposed.

Author(s):  
Steven Taylor ◽  
Jonathan S. Abramowitz ◽  
Dean McKay ◽  
Carrie Cuttler

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.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 359-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi A. Fineberg ◽  
Sanjaya Saxena ◽  
Joseph Zohar ◽  
Kevin J. Craig

ABSTRACTThe boundaries between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other neuropsychiatric disorders remain unresolved and may well differ from one disorder to another. Endophenotypes are heritable, quantitative traits hypothesized to more closely represent genetic risk for complex polygenic mental disorders than overt symptoms and behaviors. They may have a role in identifying how closely these disorders are associated with another and with other mental disorders with which they share major comorbidity. This review maps the nosological relationships of OCD to other neuropsychiatric disorders, using OCD as the prototype disorder and endophenotype markers, such as cognitive, imaging, and molecular data as well as results from demographic, comorbidity, family, and treatment studies. Despite high comorbidity rates, emerging evidence suggests substantial endophenotypic differences between OCD and anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and addictions, though comparative data is lacking and the picture is far from clear. On the other hand, strong relationships between OCD, Tourette syndrome, body dysmorphic disorder, hypochondriasis, grooming disorders, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus are likely. Studies designed to delineate the cause, consequences, and common factors are a challenging but essential goal for future research in this area.


2017 ◽  
Vol a4 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Gangemi ◽  
Francesco Mancini

In line with the Appraisal Theories of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD), in this review we present some experiments aimed at demonstrating the role of fear of guilt in OCD. What kind of guilt do OC patients want to prevent? Several studies suggest the existence of two different types of guilt emotions, namely deontological guilt and altruistic guilt. This research suggests that the former, more than the latter, is involved in OCD. Moreover, it demonstrates that the deontological guilt is related to disgust, and that this relationship could explain why both fear of contamination and fear of guilt are often co-present in obsessive patients. Finally, research shows that the Not Just Right Experience (NJRE) in OCD can be influenced by the deontological guilt. Future research should further verify the actual role of deontological guilt in OCD, and its therapeutical implications.


Author(s):  
Jordana Muroff ◽  
Abigail Ross ◽  
Joseph Rothfarb

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.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Long Long Chen ◽  
Oskar Flygare ◽  
John Wallert ◽  
Jesper Enander ◽  
Volen Z. Ivanov ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-254 ◽  

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.


Author(s):  
Damian Mellifont

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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Long Chen ◽  
Oskar Flygare ◽  
John Wallert ◽  
Jesper Enander ◽  
Volen Ivanov ◽  
...  

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.


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