As per a study published in the PLOS Computational Biology, [1]people with OCD or obsessive-compulsive symptoms might have less trust in their past experiences leading to an increased amount of uncertainty and indecisiveness.
OCD linked to distrust of past experiences. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder is a spectrum disorder of the mind, characterized by intrusive thoughts, images, or compulsions. These can cause distress and repetitive mental and behavioral patterns among the ones experiencing it. In this study, Isaac Fradkin and his colleagues asked 58 people with the condition to complete decision-making tasks based on their prior experiences and recent observations.
With the help of mathematical equations, they found out that people with higher OCD symptoms tended to distrust their past experiences, causing them to experience a constant environment of unpredictability.
Fradkin commented on the study, saying, “The results stand in stark contrast with the common preconception of OCD as being characterized by inflexible behavior, distinguished by overreliance on past experience.” The researchers believe that the new findings will help contribute to designing better OCD treatments.
