EFFECTS OF NEUTRALIZING ON INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS - AN EXPERIMENT INVESTIGATING THE ETIOLOGY OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

A large sample of non-clinical subjects were screened and those who re ported experiencing relatively frequent intrusive thoughts with associ ated neutralizing were selected. These subjects were randomly allocate d to one of two conditions: both groups listened to repeated recorded presentations of one of their intrusive thoughts and were then require d either to (a) neutralize it, or (b) distract themselves for a simila r period. Ratings of discomfort were taken during this procedure (firs t phase), and during identical presentations of the same thought witho ut neutralizing or distracting (second phase). Results showed that the group who neutralized during the first phase experienced significantl y more discomfort during the second phase and significantly stronger u rges to neutralize and distract. There was also evidence that engaging in neutralizing responses during the first phase made it difficult to stop neutralizing during the second phase. The results are considered in the context of the cognitive-behavioural hypothesis that obsession al disorders develop as a consequence of neutralizing normal intrusive thoughts. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.