Biomedical subjects

Bradley C Riemann

Publications and source records attributed to Bradley C Riemann.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Cognitive self-consciousness, implicit learning and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The negative appraisal of commonly experienced intrusive thoughts is posited to play an important role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), although why some people focus on thought experiences and have difficulties dismissing intrusions is not well understood. To elucidate how intrusive thoughts might become obsessional problems, relations between thought-focused attention (cognitive self-consciousness; CSC), implicit sequence learning and OCD were evaluated in individuals with OCD (n=43) and in a nonclinical comparison group (n=41). Impaired performance on a serial reaction time test, but enhanced recognition of the embedded stimulus pattern, was predicted for the OCD group based on hypothesized nonconscious processing differences. Predicted differences were found and CSC score predicted reaction time and pattern recognition. CSC might be a consequence of conscious processing gating problems that increase thought salience and the likelihood of the negative appraisal of intrusive thoughts. Implications for theory and treatment are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Dysfunctional belief-based obsessive-compulsive disorder subgroups.

An attempt was made to identify obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) subgroups based on differences in OCD related beliefs. OCD patients (N=367) were assessed with the Obsessional-Beliefs Questionnaire prior to treatment. Individuals' scores on measures of inflated personal responsibility and the tendency to overestimate threat, perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty, and over-importance and over-control of thoughts were subjected to cluster analysis. Support for both a simple and complex subgroup model was found (2-subgroup and 5-subgroup taxonomies). A low-beliefs subgroup was identified in both taxonomies. The low-beliefs subgroups reported scores on belief measures equivalent to scores reported for non-OCD comparison groups in earlier studies. Additional analyses were conducted to determine relations between belief-based and symptom subgroups. Significant relationships were found (e.g., Symmetry symptom subgroup membership was associated with membership in the Perfectionism/Certainty beliefs subgroup), although the shared variance was modest. Implications for understanding OCD heterogeneity and for cognitive theory are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Obsessive-compulsive disorder subtypes: an attempted replication and extension of a symptom-based taxonomy.

A symptom-based subgroup taxonomy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was evaluated and refined. The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale symptom checklist was scored and cluster analysis was conducted with a sample of OCD patients (N = 114). Results were compared to Calamari et al.'s (Behaviour Research and Therapy 37 (1999) 113) five subgroup model. Rules for determining the number of subgroups supported a more complex model. In between sample comparisons, a stable contamination subgroup was found in both a five and seven subgroup taxonomy. Between sample stability was not as strong for Harming, Obsessionals, Symmetry, and Certainty subgroups. Hoarding, as a distinctive subgroup, was unstable in separate samples. When the Calamari et al. sample and the present sample were combined (N = 220), we found a reliable Hoarding subgroup. More interpretable and stable models emerged with the combined samples suggesting that large clinical samples are needed to identify OCD subgroups. Greater support was found for a seven subgroup taxonomy based subgroup interpretability and validation measure differences. The potential utility of symptom-based subgroup models of OCD and alternative approaches are discussed. Identification of reliable and valid OCD subtypes may advance theory and treatment.

Cluster Analysis↗

PubMed2004

Effects of September 11 on patients with obsessive compulsive disorder.

Effects of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA were investigated in 25 patients with obsessive compulsive disorder and 27 normal controls 4-6 months after the attacks. Participants completed a 15-item questionnaire to retrospectively assess changes in mood, cognition, behavior and somatic complaints since September 11, 2001. Overall, both patients with obsessive compulsive disorder and normal controls reported minor changes in mood, behavior and somatic complaints. However, normal controls reported severe to extreme initial impact, slightly more cognitive symptoms (uncertainty about the future, intrusive recollections and greater desire to be with loved ones) and a slightly greater degree of overall impact on emotion and behavior at 1, 2 and 3 months after September 11 than did patients with obsessive compulsive disorder. Results support previous research that has found a relatively minor lasting impact of September 11 on both clinical and normal populations. Differences in cognition and coping mechanisms between normal controls and patients with obsessive compulsive disorder are proposed.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Too much thinking about thinking?: Metacognitive differences in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Negative appraisals of intrusive thoughts and beliefs about the importance of thoughts are considered core mechanisms in cognitive models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In refinements of cognitive theory, differences in metacognitive processes have been emphasized. Cartwright-Hatton and Wells [J. Anxiety Disord. 37 (1997) 279-296] found that cognitive self-consciousness (CSC), a tendency to be aware of and monitor thinking, was the only metacognitive dimension that differentiated OCD patients from patients with generalized anxiety disorder. To evaluate the relative importance of different cognitive processes to OCD, we administered an expanded CSC scale and two state-of-the-art measures of thought appraisals and beliefs. Scores on the CSC scale reliably differentiated OCD patients (n=30), from an anxious comparison group (OAD, n=25) after controlling for scores on the two cognition measures. The tendency to excessively reflect upon one's cognitive processes may increase opportunities for negative appraisals of intrusive thoughts, foster over-importance of thought beliefs, and increase the likelihood of developing OCD.

Adult↗