Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Study

Paper Summary:

This paper describes a study that examines whether the effects of thought suppression, present in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferers, may be present in those at risk of developing OCD before they are diagnosed. The study is conducted using children with at least one parent who has been diagnosed with OCD. The study also utilizes the technique of journal completion by the participants to investigate further the underlying processes of thought suppression which may be present in those at risk of developing OCD.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Background
Research Questions
Hypothesis
Methods and Procedures
Limitations
Discussion
Results

From the Paper:

"Although there have been studies to examine the deficit in cognitive inhibitory processes in adults, it is so far unclear whether the processes are a predictive factor of obsessive compulsive disorder development. It is possible that the cognitive deficits may be something which develops with the onset of obsessive compulsive disorder. This study aims to assess whether the cognitive deficits may be predictive of obsessive compulsive disorder through psychologically based experiments with the children of those diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder.
"One prominent feature of obsessive compulsive disorder is the attempt by sufferers to ignore and suppress their intrusive thoughts (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). This strategy is not usually successful and may in fact lead to the intrusive thoughts occurring with increased frequency. The cognitive-behavioral model of OCD suggests that this failure to control intrusive thoughts is a key factor in the formation of frequent and intense obsessions that are the key characteristic factor of the disorder (Rachman, 1998; Salkovskis, 1994)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
• Amir, N., Cashman, L. and Foa, E.B. (1997) Strategies of thought control in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 35: 775-777.
• Janeck, A.S. and Calamari, J.E. (1999) Thought suppression in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 23: 497-509.
• Purdon, C., Rowa, K. and Antony, M.M. (2007) Diary records of thought suppression in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 35: 47-59.
• Rachman, S. (1998) A cognitive theory of obsessions: Elaborations. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36: 385-401.

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