A study of doubt in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is sometimes called the "doubting disease," but its core features remain under-researched.
• Previous studies on doubt in OCD used varied definitions and assessment methods, leading to inconsistent findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nature and characteristics of doubt in individuals with clinical and subclinical OCD.
• To identify factors unique to doubt within the context of OCD.

Main Methods:

• A semi-structured interview focusing on doubt was conducted with 44 participants diagnosed with OCD and 21 with subclinical OCD.

Main Results:

• Doubt was prevalent in both groups, appearing as obsessions, uncertainty about task completion, and lack of confidence in memory/perceptions.
• Participants employed strategies to manage doubt, which was linked to negative self-beliefs.
• Higher symptom severity correlated with greater doubt interference and reduced effectiveness of proactive doubt management strategies.

Conclusions:

• Doubt is a pervasive and aversive experience in both clinical and subclinical OCD, manifesting across three domains and linked to negative core beliefs.
• Further research into doubt is crucial for accurate assessment, theoretical development, and effective treatment of OCD.