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Inferential confusion, dissociation predict OCD symptoms

Inferential confusion and dissociation were predictors of symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to study findings in the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

“In general, researchers agree on the diagnostic criteria of OCD. However, there is no consensus on the mechanisms underlying them,” Frederick Aardema, PhD, of the University of Montreal, said in a press release. “Theories about OCD stipulate that it is not the content of thought that is involved in the development of obsessions but the way these thoughts are interpreted by the person. While most people will dismiss an idea if they feel it has no meaning, people with OCD will say that if they think that way they must be a reason.”

Researchers had 75 adults (mean age, 37.99 years) with OCD complete a number of questionnaires that assessed inferential confusion, schizotypal personality, dissociative experiences, strength of obsessive beliefs and depressive and anxiety symptoms, to determine their role in the disorder.

Hierarchical regression analyses indicated inferential confusion and dissociation were the strongest predictors of OCD symptoms.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms, schizotypal personality and obsessive beliefs did not significantly affect the development of OCD, but affected the severity of the disorder.

“It seems that people with OCD are so absorbed by their obsession due to inferential confusion that there is a break with reality. Specifically, we found that individuals no longer rely on their sensory perceptions or common sense but on their imagination. For example, they are afraid that their hands are contaminated with germs, so they wash them over and over again because they are convinced that their hands are dirty even though they are visibly clean,” Aardema said in the release. – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: Paradisis reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.