scholarly journals Dynamic conceptualizations of threat in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
OLIVIA KNAPTON
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Schema Theory ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Image Schemas ◽  
Time Space ◽  
Clinical Models ◽  
Image Schema

abstractObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe mental health problem of a heterogeneous nature. To add to discussions around defining coherent subtypes of OCD, this paper uses qualitative, cognitive linguistic analysis to show how episodes of OCD can be differentiated based on their underlying conceptualizations of threat. Spoken narratives of OCD episodes told by people with OCD were analyzed using image schema theory and cognitive approaches to deixis in discourse. Through an exploration of the participants’ subjective experiences of time, space, and uncertainty in their recounted OCD episodes, the findings demonstrate that perceptions of threats fluctuate as OCD episodes unfold, and that it is the perceived movement (or not) of the threat that induces distress. Moreover, the dynamism of the threat is conceptualized differently for different subtypes of OCD. This variation can in part be explained by the role of two image schemas in structuring OCD episodes: the SOURCE–PATH–GOAL image schema and the CONTAINER image schema. It is argued that the blanket notion of threat as often investigated in clinical models of OCD is not sensitive enough to capture these shifting perspectives. It is thus recommended that threat perception in OCD is researched as a dynamic, evolving, and highly subjective experience.

scholarly journals Autogenous and Reactive Obsessions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Keyness and Collocation Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella Kim
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Research Recommendations

This study explored the subjective experiences of individuals with autogenousand reactive forms of obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Past studieshave found greater levels of shame, stigma, and concealment for thoseexperiencing lesser-known forms of OCD, particularly those that deal with sexualthemes. This study looked at what words most differentiated (i.e, keynessanalysis) these subtypes. In addition, the word networks (i.e., collocates) of thewords that most differentiated the subtypes were examined. The keywords“sexual” and “POCD” had the strongest keyness in the autogenous corpus.Contamination and checking had the strongest keyness in the reactive corpus.The collocates of the node words in the autogenous corpus show a focus on theintrusive thoughts themselves, whereas the collocates in the reactive corpus focuson performing compulsions such as checking. Limitations, clinical implications,and future research recommendations are discussed.

scholarly journals A Psychophysical Window onto the Subjective Experience of Compulsion

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Gerd Wagner ◽  
Martin Walter ◽  
Max-Philipp Stenner
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Empirical Test ◽  
Predictive Coding ◽  
Human Action ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intentional Binding ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

In this perspective, we follow the idea that an integration of cognitive models with sensorimotor theories of compulsion is required to understand the subjective experience of compulsive action. We argue that cognitive biases in obsessive–compulsive disorder may obscure an altered momentary, pre-reflective experience of sensorimotor control, whose detection thus requires an implicit experimental operationalization. We propose that a classic psychophysical test exists that provides this implicit operationalization, i.e., the intentional binding paradigm. We show how intentional binding can pit two ideas against each other that are fundamental to current sensorimotor theories of compulsion, i.e., the idea of excessive conscious monitoring of action, and the idea that patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder compensate for diminished conscious access to “internal states”, including states of the body, by relying on more readily observable proxies. Following these ideas, we develop concrete, testable hypotheses on how intentional binding changes under the assumption of different sensorimotor theories of compulsion. Furthermore, we demonstrate how intentional binding provides a touchstone for predictive coding accounts of obsessive–compulsive disorder. A thorough empirical test of the hypotheses developed in this perspective could help explain the puzzling, disabling phenomenon of compulsion, with implications for the normal subjective experience of human action.

Sensory Phenomena in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Tic Disorders: A Review of the Literature

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 425-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena da Silva Prado ◽  
Maria Conceição do Rosário ◽  
Jennifer Lee ◽  
Ana G. Hounie ◽  
Roseli G. Shavitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
English Language ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
English Language Literature ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Language Literature ◽  
Just Right

ABSTRACTIntroduction:A variety of subjective experiences have been reported to be associated with the symptom expression of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS). First described in TS patients, these subjective experiences have been defined in different ways. There is no consensus in the literature on how to best define subjective experiences. This lack of consensus may hinder the understanding of study results and prevents the possibility of including them in the search for etiological factors associated with OCD and TS.Methods:The objective of this article was to review the descriptions of subjective experiences in the English-language literature from 1980–2007. This meta-analytic review was carried out using the English-language literature from 1980–2007 available on MEDLINE, PsyclNFO, and the Cochrane Library databases using the following search terms: premonitory urges, sensory tics, “just-right” perceptions, sensory phenomena, sensory experiences, incompleteness, “not just-right” phenomena, obsessive-compulsive disorder and TS, including OCD and/or TS, in all combination searches. We also searched for the references cited in each article previously found that referred to the aforementioned terms. Thirtyone articles were included in the study.Results:Subjective experiences, in particular, the sensory phenomena, were important phenotypic variables in the characterization of the tic-related OCD subtype and were more frequent in the early-onset OCD subtype. There is a paucity of studies using structured interviews to assess sensory phenomena, their epidemiology and the etiological mechanisms associated with sensory phenomena.Conclusion:The current review provides some evidence that sensory phenomena can be useful to identify more homogenous subgroups of OCD and TS patients and should be included as important phenotypic variables in future clinical, genetic, neuroimaging, and treatment-response studies.

scholarly journals Interoception and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura B. Bragdon ◽  
Goi Khia Eng ◽  
Amanda Belanger ◽  
Katherine A. Collins ◽  
Emily R. Stern
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Symptom Dimensions ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Bodily Sensations ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
New Treatment

Disrupted interoceptive processes are present in a range of psychiatric conditions, and there is a small but growing body of research on the role of interoception in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this review, we outline dimensions of interoception and review current literature on the processing of internal bodily sensations within OCD. Investigations in OCD utilizing objective measures of interoception are limited and results mixed, however, the subjective experience of internal bodily sensations appears to be atypical and relate to specific patterns of symptom dimensions. Further, neuroimaging investigations suggest that interoception is related to core features of OCD, particularly sensory phenomena and disgust. Interoception is discussed in the context of treatment by presenting an overview of existing interventions and suggesting how modifications aimed at better targeting interoceptive processes could serve to optimize outcomes. Interoception represents a promising direction for multi-method research in OCD, which we expect, will prove useful for improving current interventions and identifying new treatment targets.

Ritualized behavior in animals and humans: Time, space, and attention

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 616-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Eilam
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Time Space ◽  
Stereotyped Behaviors

A study of the organization of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) rituals in time and space illuminates a postulated mechanism on shifting focus in action parsing, from mid-ranged actions to finer movements (gestures). Performance of OCD rituals also involves high concentration rather than the automated, less attended performance of rituals in normal and stereotyped behaviors in animals and humans.

Phenomenological differences appearing with repetitive behaviours in obsessive-compulsive disorder and Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome

1997 ◽  
Vol 170 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Euripedes C. Miguel ◽  
Lee Baer ◽  
Barbara J. Coffey ◽  
Scott L. Rauch ◽  
Cary R. Savage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Tourette's Syndrome ◽  
Tourette’S Syndrome ◽  
Repetitive Behaviours ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundObsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is heterogeneous, with some forms related to Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (GTS). This is a phenomenological study designed to investigate the nature of these possible OCD subtypes and the relationship between OCD and GTS.MethodWe evaluated 20 adult outpatients with OCD, 21 with GTS, and 20 with OCD plus GTS using a semi-structured interview designed to assess cognitive, sensory and autonomic phenomena preceding repetitive behaviours.ResultsMore cognitions and autonomic anxiety and fewer sensory phenomena were reported in OCD than in GTS. Like the GTS group, the OCD plus GTS group reported more sensory phenomena and fewer cognitions than the OCD group.ConclusionsThe presence or absence of cognitions, sensory phenomena, and autonomic anxiety distinguishes repetitive behaviours in patients with OCD from those with OCD plus GTS, and GTS. These subjective experiences may be useful in subtyping OCD and may represent valid predictors of prognosis and treatment response.

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