Perseveration induces dissociative uncertainty in obsessive–compulsive disorder. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giele, Catharina L.; van den Hout, Marcel A.; Engelhard, Iris M.; Dek, Eliane C.P.; Toffolo, Marieke B.J.; Cath, Danielle C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry. Volume 52(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: OCD -- Dissociation -- Perseveration -- Uncertainty -- Semantic satiation; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7916

Abstract

Abstract: Background and objectives: Obsessive compulsive (OC)-like perseveration paradoxically increases feelings of uncertainty. We studied whether the underlying mechanism between perseveration and uncertainty is a reduced accessibility of meaning ('semantic satiation'). Methods: OCD patients (n = 24) and matched non-clinical controls (n = 24) repeated words 2 (non-perseveration) or 20 times (perseveration). They decided whether this word was related to another target word. Speed of relatedness judgments and feelings of dissociative uncertainty were measured. The effects of real-life perseveration on dissociative uncertainty were tested in a smaller subsample of the OCD group (n = 9). Results: Speed of relatedness judgments was not affected by perseveration. However, both groups reported more dissociative uncertainty after perseveration compared to non-perseveration, which was higher in OCD patients. Patients reported more dissociative uncertainty after 'clinical' perseveration compared to non-perseveration.. Limitations: Both parts of this study are limited by some methodological issues and a small sample size. Conclusions: Although the mechanism behind 'perseveration → uncertainty' is still unclear, results suggest that the effects of perseveration are counterproductive. Highlights: OCD-like perseveration did not affect speed of relatedness judgments. Perseveration of words increased dissociative uncertainty. Increase of dissociative uncertainty was higher in OCD patients than controls. Patients reported more dissociative uncertainty after 'clinical' perseveration. The results suggest that the effects of perseveration are counterproductive.