Ferkauf Anxiety Research Lab 

Online Study of Factors related to OCD and Hoarding Disorder

The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic evaluation of guilt, shame, and disgust as factors in obsessive-compulsive symptoms. A limitation of the extant literature on this topic is that it has not taken into account the heterogeneity of OCD symptoms, which can vary a great deal from individual to individual. Recent research suggests that the variations in OCD symptoms can be distilled down into four symptom dimensions: a) contamination obsessions and cleaning compulsions; b) obsessive doubts about being responsible for harm and checking rituals; c) obsessions involving unacceptable thoughts coupled with neutralizing rituals; and d) obsessions concerning the need for symmetry or completeness and compulsions relating to ordering and arranging. In addition, some other clinical phenomena bear striking similarities with OCD and have been considered OCD-related, including hoarding symptoms as well as scrupulosity (obsessional fear of having sinned). We aim to conduct a comprehensive examination of how guilt, shame and disgust relate to these different obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

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Recognition of OCD in the Self and in Others

OCD is a multidimensional psychological disorder that has a wide variety of symptom presentations and levels of impairment. Research consistently demonstrates that a very low percentage of individuals who have OCD seek treatment, and one of the most prominent explanations for this is an inability to correctly identify the disorder (Coles et al., 2013). However, a dearth of information exists about what specific aspects of OCD make its presence more salient to the individual who has it. This study aims to examine the relation between a number of variables and recognition of OCD, including symptom domain, symptom severity, quantity of symptoms, functional impairment of symptoms, insight into symptoms, and stigma. This expands the literature about OCD recognition and will promote a better understanding of what specific aspects of the disorder help those with OCD recognize the presence of their disorder.

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