Dysfunctional beliefs in the understanding and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

PhD ceremony: Ms. A. Polman, 11.00 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Thesis: Dysfunctional beliefs in the understanding and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Promotor(s): prof. J.A. den Boer, prof. P.J. de Jong

Faculty: Medical Sciences

Cognitive behavioural models postulate that negative appraisals of intrusive thoughts and dysfunctional beliefs that give rise to them underlie the development and maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder. By studying dysfunctional beliefs from different angles, this thesis attempts to explore the contribution of this construct in a cognitive (behavioural) explanation of the mechanisms underlying OCD. Processes of change over the course of cognitive treatment were studied in a small group of patients. Results showed that the credibility of dysfunctional beliefs decreased over the course of successful treatment.