Experiences of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Activity, State, and Object Episodes

Bibliographic Data

ID5455443
AuthorsOlivia Knapton (0000-0003-2978-1341, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK), Ismael Bustos Concha (corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume26
Issue14
Pages2009-2023
Publication date2016-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1049732315601666
OpenAlexW26329423
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited32

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health problem characterized by persistent obsessions and compulsions. This article provides insights into experiences of OCD through a qualitative, thematic analysis performed on a set of interviews with people with OCD. Four themes were found as central in the participants' descriptions of OCD episodes: (a) space, (b) the body, (c) objects, and (d) interactions. The findings also show that episodes of OCD can be grouped into three broad categories: (a) activity episodes, which revolve around everyday tasks; (b) state episodes, which are concerned with the self and identity; and (c) object episodes, which are concerned with the effects of objects on the self. The relationship of this three-way classification of OCD episodes to existing cognitive models of OCD is discussed. The study also demonstrates the value of categorizing episodes, rather than people, into subtypes of OCD so that intra-participant variation can be highlighted

Comparative constitutional jurisprudence studies · Criminal Justice and Penology · Legal processes and jurisprudence · Philosophy

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