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Fear of contamination
1Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, V6T 1Z4. rachman@interchange.ubc.ca
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|September 24, 2004
Summary
Compulsive cleaning stems from contamination fears impacting health and social functioning. Cognitive strategies may effectively treat these persistent fears, addressing abnormal beliefs and mental pollution.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Mental Health
Background:
- Compulsive cleaning behavior is often an attempt to mitigate perceived contamination.
- Fears of contamination can significantly impair physical health, mental well-being, and social functioning.
- These fears are often complex, potent, persistent, and readily transmissible.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define contamination and describe types of contaminants.
- To analyze the characteristics of contamination fears, distinguishing normal from abnormal.
- To explore the causes, consequences, and cognitive comorbidities of contamination fears.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of contamination fears and beliefs.
- Examination of the distinction between normal and abnormal contamination feelings.
- Application of cognitive co-morbidity concepts to related anxieties.
Main Results:
- Contamination fears can arise without physical contact, termed 'mental pollution'.
- Connections between fear, disgust, obsessions, social fears, and phobias are explored.
- Abnormal beliefs surrounding contamination are analyzed in detail.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive analyses and therapeutic tactics show promise for treating contamination fears.
- Understanding mental pollution is key to addressing contamination anxieties.
- These powerful fears are treatable with targeted cognitive approaches.