Distorted Physical Sensations in OCD

This study suggests that the intensity of these sensations might play a significant role in how those with OCD manage their symptoms.
Other interesting findings from the study include the fact that the strong sensory components to obsessions appeared more often in people with all-around vivid imaginations, and that a large group of those with OCD experienced their intrusive thoughts as auditory — whispered, spoken or shouted voices.
Below are the key findings of the study, as summarized by the authors: 

Obsessive thoughts are often accompanied by perceptual experiences, such as feeling dirt on one’s skin or seeing blood before one’s inner eye.
Sensory experiences have been associated with decreased insight in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
We found that 75% of obsessive-compulsive disorder patients have such sensory experiences.
The severity of perceptual obsessions predicted low control over compulsions.
Clinicians should not confuse sensory experiences with hallucinations and psychosis, respectively.

I especially appreciate this last bullet point as I’ve written about OCD and psychosis and the confusion it might cause, not only for those with the disorder but for clinicians as well.
What I find most exciting about this study is its potential to be helpful in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If strong sensations make OCD symptoms more difficult to beat, perhaps we could focus on how to reduce or redirect these sensations as part o...

Source: World of Psychology - January 23, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Janet Singer Tags: Memory and Perception OCD Research Bodily Sensations Contamination Hallucinations Intrusive Thoughts Obsessive Compulsive Disorder perceptual distortions sensory perception symptom management Source Type: blogs