Fletcher, Sally; (2002) The role of disgust in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Aims. The current study aimed to examine the role that the emotion of disgust plays in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It has been proposed that washing and cleaning compulsions in OCD may be primarily derived from the emotion of disgust rather than fear or anxiety (Power and Dalgleish, 1997). The study aimed to confirm previous findings that OCD checkers show a deficit in the ability to recognise the facial expression of disgust (Sprengelmeyer et al., 1997) but will also examine this ability in people with primarily washing compulsions (washers). The present study also aimed to test whether people with OCD show an attentional bias and an implicit or explicit memory bias towards disgust items. Methods. The study compared 26 individuals with OCD with 26 non-clinical controls who were matched on age, gender and number of years in education. In addition, further comparisons were made within the OCD group comparing OCD washers with people with OCD without washing compulsions (non-washers). Results. The OCD group showed significantly higher levels of disgust sensitivity than the control group. Furthermore, no differences between OCD washers and nonwashers were found on a Disgust Scale. The OCD group was also significantly impaired in their ability to recognise facial expressions of disgust compared to controls. Although the OCD group was significantly slower to perform on a Stroop task, no evidence of an attentional bias towards disgust was found. In addition, there was no evidence of a memory bias in OCD. Conclusions. The findings of heightened disgust sensitivity in both OCD washers and OCD non-washers goes against Power and Dalgleish's (1997) argument that only washing in OCD is associated with disgust. During treatment, it may be important to consider that OCD patients might be oriented to reducing their disgust sensation. The current findings provide evidence that disgust plays a role in OCD and future research could aim to develop a model of disgust in OCD.

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