Cognitive Model of OCD
Trigger
Intrusive thought
Thought, image, feeling, urge, or doubt
Interpretation of intrusive thought
What does this thought mean?
What does it say about you?
Avoidance
PSYCHOLOGYT
LS
Emotion
Neutralization
http://psychology.tools
Cognitive Model of OCD
Trigger
1. At the park with my family
2. At home with my baby
3. Discarded food packets
Intrusive thought
Thought, image, feeling, urge, or doubt
Past experiences will
influence the kinds
of interpretations
we make about our
intrusive thoughts
1. Intrusive image of naked child
2. Intrusive thought about harm coming
to my children
3. Image of dirt & decay, and loved ones
dying
Interpretation of intrusive thought
Interpretation is a key target
for intervention - collect
and test evidence for the
client’s appraisal
What does this thought mean?
What does it say about you?
1. “I’m a bad person & must be dangerous”
2. “If I am having thoughts of harming
my child then I must be a bad mother”
3. “I’m responsible for keeping everyone safe
but this contamination is a danger”
Avoidance
Emotion
1. Avoidance of any
reminders of children
2. Avoidance of looking
after own child
Fear, disgust, shame
PSYCHOLOGYT
LS
Intrusive thoughts are
verry common amongst
the general population
The interpretation might
be of the form of a belief,
an appraisal, or a
conditional assumption
(if ... then ...)
Common themes include
concern about being:
mad, bad, dangerous,
or responsible
Neutralization
1. Avoidance of any
reminders of children
2. Avoid looking after
own child, seek
reassurance
3. Clean / wash
http://psychology.tools