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Imagery in Mental Contamination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2014

Anna E. Coughtrey ,
Roz Shafran  and
S.J. Rachman
Anna E. Coughtrey*
Affiliation:
University College London, UK
Roz Shafran
Affiliation:
Reading University, UK
S.J. Rachman
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
*
Reprint requests to Anna Coughtrey, Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK. E-mail: anna.coughtrey.10@ucl.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background: Intrusive imagery is experienced in a number of anxiety disorders, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Imagery is particularly relevant to mental contamination, where unwanted intrusive images are hypothesized to evoke feelings of dirtiness and urges to wash (Rachman, 2006). Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the nature of imagery associated with mental contamination. Method: Fifteen people with contaminated-based OCD completed a semi-structured imagery interview designed specifically for this study. Results: Ten participants reported images associated with contamination. These images were vivid and distressing and evoked feelings of dirtiness. Participants engaged in a number of behaviours to neutralize their images, including compulsive washing. A small number of participants also reported images that protected them from contamination. Conclusions: In support of the theory of mental contamination (Rachman, 2006), images can lead to feelings of pollution and compulsive washing. Further research is needed to explore the role of imagery in maintaining contamination fears.

Keywords

OCDimagerycontamination fear
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 43 , Issue 3 , May 2015 , pp. 257 - 269
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2014 

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