Risk Assessment and Management in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder David Veale, Mark Freeston, Georgina Krebs, Isobel Heyman & Paul Salkovskis

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Risk Assessment and Management in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder David Veale, Mark Freeston, Georgina Krebs, Isobel Heyman & Paul Salkovskis Advances in psychiatric treatment (2009), vol. 15, 332–343 doi: 10.1192/apt.bp.107.004705 ARTICLE Risk assessment and management in obsessive–compulsive disorder David Veale, Mark Freeston, Georgina Krebs, Isobel Heyman & Paul Salkovskis David Veale is an honorary harm to children may be tempted to play for safety SUMMARY senior lecturer and a consultant when conducting a risk assessment. However, a psychiatrist in cognitive behaviour Some people with obsessive–compulsive disorder person with OCD can be harmed by an incorrect or therapy at the NIHR Biomedical (OCD) experience recurrent intrusive sexual, Research Centre for Mental Health, unduly lengthy risk assessment, responding with aggressive or death-related thoughts and as a The South London and Maudsley increased doubts and fears about the implications result may be subjected to lengthy or inappropriate NHS Foundation Trust, King’s of their intrusive thoughts. At best this will lead College London, and The Priory risk assessments. These apparent ‘primary’ risks Hospital North London. Mark can be dealt with relatively easily through a careful to greater distress, avoidance and compulsive Freeston is Professor of Clinical understanding of the disorder’s phenomenology. behaviours, and mistrust of health professionals; Psychology at Newcastle University, However, there are other, less obvious ‘secondary’ at worst, to complete decompensation of the patient Newcastle upon Tyne. Georgina risks, which require more careful consideration. or break-up of the family. In reality, there is no need Krebs is a clinical psychologist working in the service for young This article discusses the differentiation of intrusive for overcautious reactions. Provided the clinician people with obsessive–compulsive thoughts and urges in people with OCD from has appropriate expertise in OCD, there are very disorder at the Maudsley Hospital, those experienced by sexual or violent offenders; rarely any serious doubts about the diagnosis. London. Isobel Heyman is an assessing the risk of self-harm and suicide; dis- Another recommendation of the NICE guidelines honorary senior lecturer at the cussing the nature of repugnant obsessions with a (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Institute of Psychiatry, King’s patient; assessing risk of harm and violence to the College London, and a consultant 2005: pp. 14–15) is: child and adolescent psychiatrist dependents and family living with someone with the working in the service for young disorder; and assessing the lack of insight and the In people who have been diagnosed with OCD, people with obsessive–compulsive use of the Mental Health Act. Issues specifically healthcare professionals should assess the risk disorder at the Maudsley Hospital, related to children and young people with OCD are of self-harm and suicide, especially if they have also been diagnosed with depression. Part of the London. Paul Salkovskis is also highlighted. Professor of Clinical Psychology risk assessment should include the impact of their and Applied Science at the Institute DECLARATION OF INTEREST compulsive behaviours on themselves or others. of Psychiatry and Clinical Director None. This article therefore discusses assessing the of the Maudsley Hospital Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma. risk of harm to self and others from compulsions Correspondence Dr David Veale, and comorbidity, risk in therapy, poor insight and Centre for Anxiety Disorders and One of the recommendations of the National use of the Mental Health Act. Trauma, Maudsley Hospital, 99 Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK. (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Email: [email protected] Phenomenology of obsessions and 2005: p. 15) guidelines on obsessive–compulsive compulsions disorder (OCD) is: Risk assessment in OCD requires that the clinician If healthcare professionals are uncertain about the has a good working knowledge of the phenomenol- risks associated with intrusive sexual, aggressive or ogy of the disorder. Obsessions are unwanted death-related thoughts reported by people with OCD, they should consult mental health professionals with intrusive thoughts, doubts, images or impulses specific expertise in the assessment and management that repeatedly enter the mind (‘intrusions’). They of OCD. These themes are common in people with are distressing and ego-dystonic, but are acknowl- OCD at any age, and are often misinterpreted as edged by the patient as unreasonable or excessive. indicating risk. A minority have overvalued ideas, which can Our article discusses issues to be considered lead to confusion with psychosis (Veale 2002). when conducting a risk assessment in a person Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental with intrusive sexual, aggressive or death-related acts that the person feels driven to perform. They thoughts and contrasts the phenomenology of such can either be overt and observed by others (e.g. thoughts in OCD with that of similar thoughts in checking that a door is locked) or covert mental acts people who are at risk of sexual or violent offending that cannot be observed (e.g. mentally repeating a or self-harm. It discusses the initial management of certain phrase). repugnant obsessions and pitfalls that may occur. Intrusive thoughts, doubts or images are almost Professionals presented with an individual universal in the general population and their con- describing thoughts of violence, suicide or causing tent is indistinguishable from clinical obsessions 332 Advances in psychiatric treatment (2009), vol. 15, 332–343 doi: 10.1192/apt.bp.107.004705 Risk in obsessive–compulsive disorder (Rachman 1978). By definition, such intrusions oc- and in children growth retardation and arrested cur outside the volition of the person experiencing pubertal development. Another example may be them, and tend to interrupt other mental activity harm from overexposure to disinfectant following because they are inconsistent with the person’s from a compulsion to clean. By analogy, this is like usual value system. Examples of normal intrusive someone with a phobia of wasps who drives off the thoughts include the image of touching the geni- road when they realise that there is a wasp in the talia of a child, worry (in the absence of any evi- car. Secondary risks also occur from compulsive dence) as to whether one had caused an accident on hoarding,† when a house may become unsanitary, †See Lopez Gaston et al: Hoarding the way home, urges or impulses to attack a loved damp or a fire risk as a result of the behaviour. behaviour: building up the ‘R factor’. pp. 344–53, this issue. Ed. one with a kitchen knife, or thoughts and images More commonly, irreversible harm may occur in of jumping onto a railway track in front of an on- young people whose OCD is severe during critical coming train. Because these types of intrusion can phases of development. For example, withdrawal and do feature in OCD, the difference between nor- from school and social interactions because of mal intrusive thoughts and obsessional thoughts severe OCD can lead to significant deficits in lies not in the content itself but in the appraisals cognitive and social development. Individuals that individuals with the disorder attach to the oc- may fail to develop autonomy in key areas owing currence or content of the intrusions (Salkovskis to their inability to carry out normal routines and 1985, 2008; Rachman 1997). These appraisals and their dependence on others. All people with the the compulsions that they motivate are thought to disorder find that symptoms frequently interfere determine why intrusions are more frequent and significantly with life opportunities, with some distressing in OCD. chances lost irretrievably. Where compulsions are concerned, urges that Risks in OCD are themselves obsessions need to be distinguished The phenomenology of OCD should lead us to con- from urges arising as responses to obsessions. sider two types of risk (Key points 1). The first – Once this is done, the risks are relatively obvious. primary risk – is only apparent and arises directly Thus, if someone has an obsessional fear of cutting from an obsession. The risk is that the patient will themselves, you can be very certain that they will not act on an obsession (e.g. suicide or sexual acts with harm themselves. However, if the idea of harming a child) or impulsively act out an obsessional fear. others is the obsession, they might respond by At its simplest, this need never be a concern: there cutting themselves rather than harming someone are no recorded cases of a person with OCD carry- they love. Secondary risks are often subtle. For ing out their obsession. By definition, such intru- example, a parent who is constantly preoccupied sions are unacceptable and ego-dystonic, and the with their obsessions may become less responsive person is no more likely to act on their intrusions and emotionally available to their children. than a person with height phobia is to jump off We will now apply these general principles to the a tall building. The obsession represents a type assessment of specific concerns, first where there of fear or worry that the patient does not want to are intrusive sexual thoughts and then in the case happen; like all fears or worries, it concerns ideas of violent thoughts. that the patient wishes to avert at all costs. Of much greater concern is secondary risk – the Assessing intrusive sexual thoughts unintended consequence of acting on compulsions An assessment in OCD primarily involves clearly and urges to avoid anxiety-provoking situations. formulating the problems the patient is experiencing There can be significant secondary risk associated rather than seeking to ‘rule out’ forensic and sex- with OCD. For example, a person with contamination offending factors. Gordon & Grubin (2004) have fears in relation to eating and drinking may described how to assess risk in sexual offenders severely restrict food and fluid intake, leading and Marshall & Langton (2005) discuss the in some cases to dehydration, malnourishment, nature of sexual thoughts in sexual offenders.
Recommended publications
  • OCD As a Dynamical Disease and the Familial Context of Ritual Rigidity: a Nonlinear Dynamics Perspective
    Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Dissertations (1934 -) Projects OCD as a Dynamical Disease and the Familial Context of Ritual Rigidity: A Nonlinear Dynamics Perspective Robert W. Bond Marquette University Follow this and additional works at: https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu Part of the Psychiatry and Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Bond, Robert W., "OCD as a Dynamical Disease and the Familial Context of Ritual Rigidity: A Nonlinear Dynamics Perspective" (2011). Dissertations (1934 -). 127. https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu/127 OCD AS A DYNAMICAL DISEASE AND THE FAMILIAL CONTEXT OF RITUAL RIGIDITY: A NONLINEAR DYNAMICS PERSPECTIVE by Robert W. Bond, Jr., B.S., M.S. A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Milwaukee, Wisconsin August, 2011 ABSTRACT OCD AS A DYNAMICAL DISEASE AND THE FAMILIAL CONTEXT OF RITUAL RIGIDITY: A NONLINEAR DYNAMICS PERSPECTIVE Robert W. Bond, Jr., B.S., M.S. Marquette University, 2011 Comparatively few studies of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have addressed the interpersonal dynamical patterns within families that could exacerbate or quell symptom severity in the ill relatives or hypothesize other roles for familial variables. Furthermore, the extant studies have relied primarily upon linear models. Methodological limitations of linear models, such as assuming that change occurs as the result of unidirectional influences and that the scores obtained for each variable are independent of each other are at variance with temporal, dynamic phenomena and have restricted the empirical investigations of the dynamics of OCD. The current study investigated whether OCD could be considered a dynamical disease such that the complex rhythmic processes that are the norm for living things would be replaced by relatively constant dynamics or by periodic dynamics.
    [Show full text]
  • Debbie Sookman Is an Outstanding Contribution to the Science and Clinical Practice Related to the Full Range of Obsessive Com- Pulsive Disorder
    Downloaded by [New York University] at 04:59 12 August 2016 “I strongly recommend this expert clinical guide to the psychological treat- ment of obsessive compulsive disorders. The depth of Dr. Sookman’s clinical experience and her command of the literature are evident in the thorough coverage of assessment procedures, how to optimize the effects of therapy and deal with problems. The numerous case illustrations are well-chosen and clearly described.” —S. Rachman, Emeritus Professor, Institute of Psychiatry, London University, and University of British Columbia. “Specialized Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: An Expert Clinician Guidebook by Dr. Debbie Sookman is an outstanding contribution to the science and clinical practice related to the full range of Obsessive Com- pulsive Disorder. This is an excellent book in every way imaginable. Clearly written and organized, Sookman provides a critical and scholarly review of the state of the art on OCD. Every researcher and clinician can benefit from this superb book. The reader benefits from the considerable clinical expe- rience and scholarship that Dr Sookman possesses, while learning specific and powerful tools in helping those who suffer from OCD. Case examples illustrate the importance of conceptualization and the value of empirically supported treatments. I am particularly impressed that Sookman was able to balance such sophistication in her critical and scientific understanding of OCD, while still writing a clear and concise book on the topic. This is a book I will recommend to both beginning clinicians in training and to seasoned researchers and practitioners.” —Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., Director, American Institute for Cognitive Therapy “Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Poor Insight in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Examining the Role of Cognitive, Metacognitive, and Neuropsychological Variables
    POOR INSIGHT IN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER: EXAMINING THE ROLE OF COGNITIVE, METACOGNITIVE, AND NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES by Heather K. Hood Master of Arts, Ryerson University, 2009 Bachelor of Arts, University of Guelph, 2007 A dissertation presented to Ryerson University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Program of Psychology Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2014 ©Heather K. Hood 2014 AUTHOR'S DECLARATION FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF A DISSERTATION I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this dissertation. This is a true copy of the dissertation, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I authorize Ryerson University to lend this dissertation to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize Ryerson University to reproduce this dissertation by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I understand that my dissertation may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract Poor Insight in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Examining the Role of Cognitive, Metacognitive, and Neuropsychological Variables Doctor of Philosophy, 2014 Heather K. Hood Psychology Ryerson University The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive and neuropsychological constructs that are conceptually related to poor insight in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The relationship between dimensions of insight (Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale; BABS) and cognitive (magical thinking, paranoia/suspiciousness), metacognitive (metacognition, decentering, cognitive flexibility), and neuropsychological indices of cognitive flexibility were examined. Participants with OCD (N = 80) referred for treatment at an outpatient anxiety disorders clinic completed a clinical interview, a brief battery of neuropsychological measures, and a computer-administered questionnaire package assessing the variables of interest.
    [Show full text]
  • Self-Ambivalence in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
    Self-Ambivalence in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Sunil S Bhar Submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy July, 2004 Produced on acid-free paper Department of Psychology University of Melbourne ii iii Abstract According to the cognitive model, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is maintained by various belief factors such as an inflated sense of responsibility, perfectionism and an overestimation about the importance of thoughts. Despite much support for this hypothesis, there is a lack of understanding about the role of self-concept in the maintenance or treatment of OCD. Guidano and Liotti (1983) suggest that individuals who are ambivalent about their self-worth, personal morality and lovability use perfectionistic and obsessive compulsive behaviours to continuously restore self- esteem. This thesis develops a model of OCD that integrates self-ambivalence in the cognitive model of OCD. Specifically, it explored the hypothesis that the OCD symptoms and the belief factors related to the vulnerability of OCD are mechanisms that provide relief from self- ambivalence. It addressed three questions. First, is self-ambivalence related to OCD symptoms and OCD-related beliefs? Second, to what extent is self-ambivalence specific to OCD, compared to other anxiety disorders? Third, to what extent is self-ambivalence important in accounting for response and relapse of OCD to psychological interventions? In order to explore these questions, a questionnaire measuring self- ambivalence was first developed and evaluated. Non clinical and clinical participants were recruited for research. Non-clinical participants (N = 269) comprised undergraduate students (N = 226: mean age = 19.55; SD = 3.27) and community controls (N = 43; mean age = 43.78; SD = 3.92).
    [Show full text]
  • Berrypub5102.Pdf
    A review of obsessive intrusive thoughts in the general population Author Berry, Lisa-Marie, Laskey, Ben Published 2012 Journal Title Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2012.02.002 Copyright Statement © 2012 Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, providing that the work is properly cited. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/352184 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au Obsessive Intrusive Thoughts 1 Obsessive Intrusive Thoughts in the General Population Lisa-Marie Berrya and Ben Laskeya,b aDivision of Clinical Psychology, University of Manchester, UK bCornwall CAMHS (CiC Team), Truro, UK Address for correspondence: Lisa-Marie Berry Division of Clinical Psychology University of Manchester M13 9PL. UK Tel: +44 (0) 161 306 0400 Fax: +44 (0) 161 306 0406 Email: [email protected] Running head: Obsessive Intrusive Thoughts Abstract: 132 words Body text: 6473 Figures: 0 Tables: 0 Obsessive Intrusive Thoughts 2 Abstract Intrusive thoughts feature as a key factor in our current understanding of Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Cognitive theories of OCD assume that the interpretation of normal intrusive thoughts leads to the development and maintenance of the disorder. Research that supports the role of beliefs and appraisals in maintaining distress in OCD is based on the supposition that clinical obsessions are comparable to normal intrusive thoughts. This paper reviews research investigating the occurrence of intrusive thoughts in a non-clinical population, in order to assess if these thoughts are comparable to obsessions.
    [Show full text]
  • The Appraisal of Intrusive Images Among Outpatients with Social Anxiety Disorder
    The Appraisal of Intrusive Images Among Outpatients with Social Anxiety Disorder Undirtitill Jóhann Pálmar Harðarson Lokaverkefni til cand. psych-gráðu Sálfræðideild Heilbrigðisvísindasvið The Appraisal of Intrusive Images Among Outpatients with Social Anxiety Disorder Jóhann Pálmar Harðarson Lokaverkefni til cand. psych-gráðu í sálfræði Leiðbeinandi: Andri Steinþór Björnsson Sálfræðideild Heilbrigðisvísindasvið Háskóla Íslands Júní 2016 2 Ritgerð þessi er lokaverkefni til cand. psych gráðu í sálfræði og er óheimilt að afrita ritgerðina á nokkurn hátt nema með leyfi rétthafa. © Jóhann Pálmar Harðarson og Andri Steinþór Björnsson, 2016 Prentun: Háskólaprent Reykjavík, Ísland 2016 3 Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 7 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 12 Participants ........................................................................................................................... 12 Measures ............................................................................................................................... 15 The Imagery and Social Trauma Interview .......................................................................... 15 The MINI International
    [Show full text]
  • The Examination of Inhibition in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
    Modern Psychological Studies Volume 23 Number 2 Article 6 2018 The Examination of Inhibition in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Stephanie J. Glover University of Denver, [email protected] Christopher A. Moyer [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.utc.edu/mps Part of the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Glover, Stephanie J. and Moyer, Christopher A. (2018) "The Examination of Inhibition in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder," Modern Psychological Studies: Vol. 23 : No. 2 , Article 6. Available at: https://scholar.utc.edu/mps/vol23/iss2/6 This articles is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals, Magazines, and Newsletters at UTC Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Modern Psychological Studies by an authorized editor of UTC Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INHIBITION IN OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER 1 Abstract Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive, anxiety-provoking obsessions and irresistible compulsions that are performed to relieve anxiety. It is theorized that a deficit in inhibition may play a role in obsessive-compulsive symptomology. Areas of cognitive functioning that are affected by inhibition deficits may lead to obsessions and intrusive thoughts, while behavioral inhibition deficits may lead to compulsions. In the current paper, inhibition is examined in individuals with OCD, how such a deficit affects attention, recall, and response control, and how this relates to the disorder’s symptoms. A better
    [Show full text]
  • Symptom Dimensions in OCD: Item-Level Factor Analysis and Heritability Estimates
    Symptom Dimensions in OCD: Item-Level Factor Analysis and Heritability Estimates The MIT Faculty has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters. Citation Katerberg, Hilga et al. “Symptom Dimensions in OCD: Item-Level Factor Analysis and Heritability Estimates.” Behavior Genetics 40 (2010): 505-517. As Published http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10519-010-9339-z Publisher Springer Science + Business Media B.V. Version Final published version Citable link http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/65885 Terms of Use Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License Detailed Terms http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5 Behav Genet (2010) 40:505–517 DOI 10.1007/s10519-010-9339-z ORIGINAL RESEARCH Symptom Dimensions in OCD: Item-Level Factor Analysis and Heritability Estimates Hilga Katerberg • Kevin L. Delucchi • S. Evelyn Stewart • Christine Lochner • Damiaan A. J. P. Denys • Denise E. Stack • J. Michael Andresen • J. E. Grant • Suck W. Kim • Kyle A. Williams • Johan A. den Boer • Anton J. L. M. van Balkom • Johannes H. Smit • Patricia van Oppen • Annemiek Polman • Michael A. Jenike • Dan J. Stein • Carol A. Mathews • Danielle C. Cath Received: 28 May 2009 / Accepted: 19 January 2010 / Published online: 2 April 2010 Ó The Author(s) 2010. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract To reduce the phenotypic heterogeneity of and translational studies, numerous factor analyses of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for genetic, clinical the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale checklist (YBOCS-CL) have been conducted. Results of these analyses have been inconsistent, likely as a consequence of Edited by Michael Lyons.
    [Show full text]
  • Compulsions Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    COMPULSIONS PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Rockne S O'Bannon,Keith R A DeCandido,Will Sliney | 112 pages | 27 Dec 2011 | Boom! Studios | 9781608866397 | English | Los Angeles, United States Compulsions PDF Book In other words, finding a way to discontinue compulsions is the way to decondition anxiety and have less frequent and intense obsessions. Patients who do not respond to one medication sometimes respond to another. Obviously, putting oneself through this process is uncomfortable and often very depressing, but letting oneself off the hook does not feel like an option. A teacher may fear she is not adequately understood when she speaks and never feels she can explain things perfectly enough. In most cases, individuals with OCD feel driven to engage in compulsive behavior and would rather not have to do these time consuming and many times torturous acts. Compulsive overeating is the inability to control one's amount of nutritional intake, resulting in excessive weight gain. This leads to more ritualistic behavior — the vicious cycle of OCD. About the Author: Stacey Kuhl Wochner. Environment An association between childhood trauma and obsessive-compulsive symptoms has been reported in some studies. It is this heightened sense of responsibility, and need to protect loved ones that often drives the person with OCD to repeat the endless cycle of ritualistic behaviours compulsions. These thoughts have to be pervasive and cause problems in health, occupation, socialization, or other parts of life. The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
    [Show full text]
  • Developing a Model to Predict Prevalence of Compulsive Behavior in Individuals with OCD Lindsay D
    University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School June 2018 Developing a Model to Predict Prevalence of Compulsive Behavior in Individuals with OCD Lindsay D. Fields University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Mathematics Commons Scholar Commons Citation Fields, Lindsay D., "Developing a Model to Predict Prevalence of Compulsive Behavior in Individuals with OCD" (2018). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7286 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Developing a Model to Predict Prevalence of Compulsive Behavior in Individuals with OCD by Lindsay D. Fields A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Mathematics and Statistics College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Major Professor: Gregory McColm, Ph.D. Eric Storch, Ph.D. Nataša Jonoska, Ph.D. Date of Approval: May 29, 2018 Keywords: compulsive, brain, game theory, Society of Mind, behavior Copyright © 2018, Lindsay D. Fields DEDICATION To my mother, for showing me how. For making your textbooks my first bedtime stories, for taking me to the library, for helping me with my math homework, even after geometry, for being my first copyeditor, and for coming to every one of my graduations. We never learned to keep our voices down.
    [Show full text]
  • What Are People's Lay Theories About Mind Wandering and How Do Those Beliefs Affect Them?
    What Are People’s Lay Theories About Mind Wandering and How Do Those Beliefs Affect Them? Claire M. Zedelius and Jonathan W. Schooler Many of the thoughts that pass through our minds each day are disconnected from the here and now. While we may seem engaged with our current activity or environment—our eyes scanning a page of text or locking with those of a con- versation partner—our attention is often directed inwardly, to thoughts about cur- rent concerns, future plans, or fantasies. These types of thoughts, studied under the (somewhat interchangeably used) terms stimulus- or task-unrelated thoughts, de- coupled thought, daydreaming, and mind wandering (e.g., Antrobus, 1968; Singer & Schonbar, 1961; Smallwood & Schooler, 2006), are often spontaneous and unsolicited (Seli, Carriere, & Smilek, 2014; Seli, Risko, Smilek, & Schacter, 2016), yet occupy an astonishing 30–50% of our waking life (Kane et al., 2007; Killingsworth & Gilbert, 2010; Klinger & Cox, 1987; McVay, Kane, & Kwapil, 2009), with far-reaching and often negative consequences for our performance (see Mooneyham & Schooler, 2013 for a review), mood (Franklin et al., 2013; Killingsworth & Gilbert, 2010), and safety (e.g., Galera et al., 2012). Sometimes stimulus-unrelated thoughts have an intrusive character. Intrusive thoughts tend to be repetitive and revolve around fears or traumatic events (Clark & Rhyno, 2005). Like normal mind wandering, intrusive thoughts are highly common among healthy individuals (Clark & Rhyno, 2005), but they are also a hallmark feature of a surprising range of disorders, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Clark, 2005; Davies & Clark, 1998).
    [Show full text]
  • Disorders, Musical Hallucinations, Musical Obsessions, Neurobiology
    International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences 2020, 10(3): 51-62 DOI: 10.5923/j.ijpbs.20201003.01 Obsessions and Musical Hallucinations: The Neurobiology Underlying a Differential Diagnosis Mayra E. Dávila-Rivera, Hilda M. Rivera-Marín* Albizu University, San Juan Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico Abstract This literature review has the purpose of establishing the difference between comorbid disorders with musical obsessions and hallucinations from a neurobiological perspective. Musical obsessions and hallucinations are unusual, with limited research, and their prevalence is underestimated [1,2]. Their pathological etiology can be confusing since it can fall within psychiatry, neurology and biology due to its symptomatic comorbidity; and it may not be recognized as generating suffering for the patient [1]. Neurobiology has made it possible to increase our knowledge of brain structures or circuits responsible for the behavior of subjects who suffer related disorders. Musical obsessions and hallucinations are disabling as they are detrimental to quality of life. Due to new discoveries in the different scientific disciplines, health professionals will establish a differential diagnosis, adequately address primary and underlying pathologies, and also facilitate the implementation of effective evidence-based models. Keywords Disorders, Musical hallucinations, Musical obsessions, Neurobiology 1. Introduction which are unattractive as a clinical research focus [9]. These conditions are chronic and disabling characterized by their Research has identified various disorders sharing similar low prevalence (less than 1,200 individuals), and high characteristics within the neurobiological model of the morbidity. They are scarcely researched, with more than prefrontal cortex. The comorbidity that exists between 80% originating genetically; many of them without a specific psychiatric, neurological and diseases associated with treatment.
    [Show full text]