Cognitive distort ions: Thought-action fusion

Thought-action fusion (TAF) is a cognitive distortion with two forms: 'prob ability TAF' in which the intrusive thought is believed to increase the pro bability that a specific negative event will occur and 'morality TAF' in wh ich experiencing the intrusive thoughts is morally equivalent to carrying o ut a prohibited action. This distortion is especially prominent in obsessio ns, is closely related to guilt and is associated with subsequent attempts at neutralization, A comparable cognitive distortion termed 'thought-shape fusion' has been found in a minority of people with eating problems and occ urs when the thought of eating is sufficient to induce feelings of fatness, moral unacceptability and weight gain. These cognitive distortions can be manipulated experimentally and have clinical implications that include impr ovement in understanding the nature of the disorder and its treatment. Copy right (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.