Intrusive thinking (G12)

Question 1

Which of the following DSM diagnoses were discussed in the material contain manifestations of intrusive thinking?

a. Dissociative identity disorder
b. Substance use disorder
c. Conduct disorder

Answer 1

b. Substance use disorder

Question 2

Think of an example of an everyday intrusive thought based on the ‘content of intrusive thoughts’ discussed in the lecture. Use this example to explain 3 conditions where this intrusive thought might be triggered.

Answer 2

Any example that can be classified as: 
	• Emotionally salient events 
	• Incompletions 
	• Intentions 
	• Anticipated events 
	• Uncertain events 
	• Dissonance
	• Frequent events 
	• Mental images 

Description how the example thought is triggered by:
• Cue-driven retrieval
• Matching mood and physiological state
• Diminished cognitive control

Question 3

In Pavlovian Conditioning with traumatic/neutral film fragments, which part of the conditioning experiment are mostly the content of the intrusive memories after completion of the experiment? Choose the best fitting answer.

a. Mostly, intrusions are about the trauma itself (the traumatic film).
b. Intrusions are about the CS (picture of face) which predicted the traumatic film.
c. There are intrusions of both the predictors (CS) and the traumatic film.

Answer 3

a. Mostly, intrusions are about the trauma itself (the traumatic film).

Question 4

What could be the function of intrusive memories?

Answer 4

Intrusive memories allows our brain to process important events (the memory can be either weakened, strengthened, or contextualized). Another theory is that intrusions can be an opportunity to modify memories. However, this is speculative.

Question 5

Which one of the following is NOT considered to be a clinical feature of intrusive thoughts ?

a. High frequency and intensity of intrusions
b. Maladaptive appraisal of intrusions
c. Intrusions seem to come out of nowhere/unknown trigger

Answer 5

c. Intrusions seem to come out of nowhere/unknown trigger

Question 6

a Indicate 2 mental disorders in which intrusive thoughts are a main complaint and
b) Describe how they occur in each disorder.

Answer 6

a) OCD and PTSD. b) In OCD intrusive thoughts tend to be unwanted thoughts, urges or images. These are often labeled as “obsessions” and they are time consuming, distressing or interfere with daily activities. The individual attempts to suppress, ignore or neutralise these thoughts but with no success.

In PTSD the intrusive thoughts tend to be involuntary and distressing memories of the trauma, dreams related to the trauma, dissociative reactions/falshbacks, or physiological reactivity in response to reminders of the trauma. The intrusive thoughts in PTSD tend to feel like re-experiencing the trauma.