An Investigation in Reality Monitoring in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Colby Mills

David J. King Hall, 2054
October 12, 2004, 08:00 PM to 07:00 PM

Abstract:

This study investigates the role of memory judgments in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is proposed that an inability to discriminate between memories for real events and imagined events (a judgment known as reality monitoring) might play a role in the development and maintenance of certain OCD symptoms (e.g., checking and repeating). Fifty-seven participants were assigned to three groups on the basis of psychiatric diagnosis: OCD (n =8), other anxiety disorder (n = 17), and controls with no diagnosis (n = 22). After completing measures of symptom severity and temporary and long-term anxiety, participants were asked to perform, observe, or imagine manipulating pairs of household objects. They were then tested for recognition and action recall. The hypothesis predicted that people with OCD would show reduced accuracy when recalling their actions. The results did not support the hypothesis: there was no significant difference among participant groups at recall.