Theoretical Approaches to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is currently the subject of considerable research, because recent epidemiological studies have suggested that the condition is more prevalent than was originally believed. This book offers a critical discussion of the most important theories that have been put forward to explain this disorder. The book includes behavioral/learning accounts (and cognitive-behavioral supplements of these), accounts based on Pavlovian personality theories (such as those by Eysenck, Gray, and Claridge), Pierre Janet's account, cybernetic approaches, psychodynamic approaches, Reed's cognitive-structural account, and biological approaches. Therapeutic approaches to the disorder are also considered insofar as they are relevant to these theories. An analysis of the concept of OCD is also presented, together with a critique of the existing definitions of the disorder. This book is unique in both the comprehensiveness and the depth of its coverage of theories of OCD. It also offers an entirely new approach to the definition of the disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is currently the subject of considerable research, since recent epidemiological studies have suggested that the condition is more prevalent than was originally believed. This book offers a critical discussion of the most important theories that have been put forward to explain this disorder. The book includes behavioural/learning accounts (and cognitive-behavioural supplements of these), based on Pavlovian personality theories (such as those by Eysenck, Gray and Claridge), Pierre Janet's account, cybernetic approaches, psychodynamic approaches, Reed's 'cognitive-structural' account, and biological approaches. Therapeutic approaches to the disorder are also considered, insofar as they are relevant to these theories. This book is unique in both the comprehensiveness and the depth of its coverage of theories of OCD. It also offers an entirely new approach to the definition of the disorder.

Synopsis; Acknowledgments and provenance; 1. The natural history and definition of obsessive-compulsive disorder; 2. Behavioral/learning accounts of OCD; 3. Accounts of OCD based upon personality theories derived from the work of Pavlov; 4. Janet on OCD; 5. Psychodynamic approaches to OCD; 6. Cognitive style/deficit approaches to OCD; 7. Biological approaches to OCD; 8. Concluding remarks; References; Author index; Subject index.

This book offers a critical discussion of the most important theories which have been put forward to explain obsessive-compulsive disorder. This book is unique in both the comprehensiveness and the depth of its coverage of theories of OCD. It also offers an entirely new approach to the definition of the disorder.