Disgust in contamination-based obsessive–compulsive disorder: a review and model

Abstract

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of unwanted, intrusive thoughts coupled with ritualized behaviors intended to reduce subjective anxiety. Although once considered a homogeneous disorder, recent findings support a view of OCD as consisting of symptom subtypes. Additionally, there has been increased interest in the contribution of disgust to various forms of psychopathology. The present article summarizes the available literature on contamination-based OCD with an emphasis on the role of disgust as it pertains to the etiology and maintenance of this form of OCD. We propose an updated model of contamination-based OCD that accounts for the elevated disgust response observed in individuals with this form of OCD. Treatment implications of a disgust-based model of the disorder are discussed in the context of cognitive–behavioral therapy.

Keywords::

• contamination
• disgust
• exposure and response prevention
• obsessive–compulsive disorder
• subtypes

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.