NOCD: Mind vs. Matter: Analyzing Intrusive Thoughts in OCD Through Literacy and Functionality

Read this piece published by NOCD below or at https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/analyzing-intrusive-thoughts-through-literacy-and-functionality

Do me a favor: Think about your favorite sandwich. Now, what’s the sandwich called? Is it Ham and Cheese? Turkey and Swiss? Meatball Parmesan? Or maybe even Prosciutto and Peach? These sandwiches are doing something right, something that the field of psychology lacks. They accurately identify two different pieces that make up such a complex flavor masterpiece.

There is an injustice being done that ultimately leads to a lot of confusion when not only talking about the field of psychology but more specifically OCD. I say this because when speaking about psychology—and more specifically obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—it’s common for people to compartmentalize the field of study as solely a scientific endeavor, which it is, but there’s more to it than that. You’re just talking about the ham and forgetting the cheese.

The cheese, in this case, is philosophy. You see, like the sandwiches I mentioned, psychology is made up of two equally important and complementary ingredients. One is a more scientific approach, which aims to analyze and respond based on objective and empirical data (e.g., neurobiology, clinical trials, and psychopharmacology). The other is a philosophical approach, dealing with personalized treatment and so forth.

The point being, when discussing OCD in all its facets, it’s important to be aware of which ingredient you’re talking about. By doing so, you can avoid getting stuck or conflating different aspects of the disorder. Recognizing the need for both scientific rigor and philosophical insight can also ensure a more holistic and effective approach to understanding and treating OCD.

In essence, there is a literacy aspect as well as a functionality aspect when dealing with OCD. Each serves its own purpose, each is in its own lane. That being said, let’s put this idea into practice, so I can show you how each aspect of psychology can deal with a certain question: Is the term “intrusive thoughts” helpful or harmful?

Literacy approach

Literacy is all about the theoretical and conceptual understanding of terms, which is often rooted in academic or scientific frameworks. From this understanding, the term intrusive thoughts first and foremost makes no sense; aren’t all thoughts by definition intrusive? Thoughts are a chain-linked response to the sensory inputs we take in throughout our day-to-day existence.

For example, you walk past an ice cream store, see mint chocolate chip in a window, then you think of the last time you had mint chip: It was with your ex-girlfriend. Your ex-girlfriend also liked poke. “Hmmm, poke sounds good right now, but will it make me sick? I can’t afford to get sick; I have work tomorrow. Work, what do I need to get done? Check my calendar…” HONK, a car almost hits me as I’m crossing the street. “Wow, life’s short, I could have died. I think I’m going to call my ex-girlfriend.”

So, therefore, labeling something as an intrusive thought can end up pathologizing a standard aspect of human cognition, leading to unnecessary attention and overvaluation.

In people with OCD, labeling thoughts as intrusive has the potential to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. When things are intrusive, you might feel more inclined to do whatever seems like it might get rid of them, such as giving into a compulsive action rather than “sitting with them,” or allowing them to exist. If there is an intruder in your house, you’re probably going to want to get rid of them, not eat mint chip ice cream in your living room.

This heightened focus on an intrusive thought may even increase its frequency and intensity—a phenomenon also known as the “rebound effect”.

This effect was demonstrated through a series of experiments where participants were asked to suppress a particular thought (e.g., not thinking about a white bear). The findings showed that attempts to suppress a particular thought often led to an increase in the frequency at which it occurred. This suggests that labeling thoughts as “intrusive” and attempting to suppress them can make these thoughts more persistent and intrusive.

In conclusion, objectively speaking, the term “intrusive” may produce an overblown and misleading effect on someone with OCD, potentially exacerbating their distress and leading to compulsive behaviors meant to prevent the feared outcomes.

Functionality approach

Functionality is about the practical application and effectiveness of these terms in real-world scenarios, suggesting what’s really important is their impact on behavior and treatment.

We all see our lives through the lens of our own story or narrative structure. Our world is too complex to be able to understand every single objective fact; there are too many to comprehend. So, we streamline how we live our lives and hide the overbearing intricacies behind simple, easy-to-grasp terms. Certain things in our lives we see as being allies, other things as mentors, or even antagonists.

The term “intrusive thoughts,” therefore, isn’t there to serve us in any sort of logistical manner; it exists to provide an archetypical interpretation of the feeling we get when certain unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts, images, or urges pop up in our minds.

Imagine two people walking on a tightrope that is only 2 feet off the ground, yet one of them has OCD. The individual with OCD sees the distance from the ground not as the 2 feet that it really is, but instead as a distorted, whopping 20 stories. Certain things stay the same for both individuals: both share a similar goal (getting to the other side of the rope), both even feel the same small gust of wind on their face (intrusive thought), but in that moment of time, because the individual with OCD has their perception distorted by anxiety, that small gust is inevitably going to feel much more impactful. By recognizing the impactful nature of the wind as being a falsehood, the individual is better able to maintain their balance and see the reality of the distortion underneath them.

In order to beat the “intrusive” thought, you must first label it as such. By doing so, you give yourself the ability to overcome it.

More than a science

At the end of the day, that’s the beauty of psychology. It’s almost like its own divine doctrine, encompassing the full nature of the human experience through an interpretation that is both objective and subjective. This dual approach allows us to appreciate the complexity of human thoughts and behaviors, recognizing that both empirical evidence and philosophical insight are essential in providing a holistic understanding.

When it comes to dealing with OCD, being aware of the two complementary aspects of psychology can be incredibly empowering. By becoming more mindful of the scientific and philosophical aspects of OCD, you can better navigate its challenges and complexities. This means not only utilizing evidence-based treatments like exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, but also engaging in reflective practices that help you understand the deeper, existential aspects of your experience.