OXYTOCIN AND COGNITIVE PROCESSES IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS AND OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER.

1992 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 569B
Author(s):  
R. Himan ◽  
J. Bruins ◽  
J. A. den Boer ◽  
H. G.M. Westenberg
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

Differential role of visuospatial working memory in the propensity toward uncertainty in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder and in healthy subjects

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 2113-2124 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Lambrecq ◽  
J.-Y. Rotge ◽  
N. Jaafari ◽  
B. Aouizerate ◽  
N. Langbour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Continuous Performance ◽  
Visuospatial Working Memory ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Temporal Direction

BackgroundObsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with visuospatial working memory deficits. Intolerance of uncertainty is thought to be a core component of OCD symptoms. Recent findings argue for a possible relationship between abilities in visuospatial memory and uncertainty. However, this relationship remains unclear in both OCD patients and healthy subjects. To address this issue, we measured performance in visuospatial working memory and the propensity to express uncertainty during decision making. We assessed their relationship and the temporal direction of this relationship in both OCD patients and healthy subjects.MethodBaseline abilities in visuospatial working memory were measured with the Corsi block-tapping test. A delayed matching-to-sample task was used to identify explicit situations of certainty, uncertainty and ignorance and to assess continuous performance in visuospatial working memory. Behavioural variables were recorded over 360 consecutive trials in both groups.ResultsBaseline scores of visuospatial working memory did not predict the number of uncertain situations in OCD patients whereas they did in healthy subjects. Uncertain trials led to reduced abilities in visuospatial working memory to 65% of usual performance in OCD patients whereas they remained stable in healthy subjects.ConclusionsThe present findings show an opposite temporal direction in the relationship between abilities in working memory and uncertainty in OCD patients and healthy subjects. Poor working memory performance contributes to the propensity to feel uncertainty in healthy subjects whereas uncertainty contributes to decreased continuous performance in working memory in OCD patients.

A Cognitive Approach to the Treatment of Primary Inferences in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieron O’Connor ◽  
Sophie Robillard
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Narrative Fiction ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Condensed Form ◽  
A Chain ◽  
State Of Affairs

In this article, it is argued that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with overt compulsions, where there is overvalued ideation, is primarily a disorder of the imagination and hence, by implication, psychological therapy should principally address the client’s imagination, rather than other cognitive processes. According to this model, the OCD client imagines a state of affairs which is then taken ‘as if it were a reality and does so because of the persuasive influence of an imaginary narrative fiction. This narrative is replayed, often in condensed form, in the OCD context and leads the client into a chain of maladaptive inferences about a possible state of affairs. The client then acts in accordance with what might be present rather than what is actually present. An inference-based approach (IBA) which directly addresses and challenges the imaginary narrative of the client is outlined, with clinical illustrations. The IBA approach complements other cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and can be used in conjunction with existing CBT methods which focus more on modifying the interpretations and secondary appraisals subsequent to primary inferences.

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