scholarly journals Clarifying the Placement of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the Empirical Structure of Psychopathology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Faure ◽  
Miriam K. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Symptom Clusters ◽  
Thought Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Analysis Framework ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Categorical Classification

Recent work on the empirical structure of psychopathology has aimed to address some limitations that can arise from traditional categorical classification approaches. This research has focused on modeling patterns of co-occurrence among traditional diagnoses, uncovering a variety of well-validated dimensions (or spectra) of psychopathology, spanning common and uncommon mental disorders. A model integrating these empirically derived spectra (the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology; HiTOP) has been proposed. However, the placement of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) within this model remains unclear, as studies have variably found OCD to fit best as part of the Fear, Distress or Thought Disorder spectra. One reason for this may be the heterogeneity of symptoms experienced by individuals with OCD, which is lost when analysing categorical diagnoses. For example, different symptom clusters within OCD—such as washing and contamination versus obsessions and checking—may be differentially associated with different spectra in the HiTOP model. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis. Data were collected in an anonymous online survey from community participants with high levels of psychopathology (n = 609), and analyzed in a confirmatory factor analysis framework. The results indicated that the washing and contamination and symmetry and ordering symptom clusters fit best under the Fear spectrum, whereas the obsessions and checking and hoarding clusters fit best under the Thought Disorder spectrum. These findings suggest that OCD may be best characterized as cross-loading between the Fear and Thought Disorder spectra, and highlight the importance of accounting for diagnostic heterogeneity in future research.

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 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.

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.

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.

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