Visser - Neuropsychological mechanisms of intrusive thinking Flashcards
How are intrusive thoughts defined and what is an unexpected quality of them?
- Interruptive, salient, experienced mental events, typically involuntary, unwanted and recurrent
- They do not necessarily have to be negative
Eight examples of intrusive thoughts (no explanation)?
- Emotionally salient events
- Incompletions
- Intended actions and prospective memory
- Anticipated events
- Uncertain events
- Cognitive dissonance
- Frequent stimuli
- Mental images
In the context of intrusive thoughts, explain emotionally salient events
Trauma or significant emotional experiences trigger intrusive thoughts (traumatic recurrent reminders or pleasant memories interrupting focus)
In the context of intrusive thoughts, explain incompletions
Unfinished tasks or unresolved problems
What is the Zeigarnik effect and how does it relate to intrusive incompletions?
Incomplete tasks remain mentally salient until completed (which is why they recur)
In the context of intrusive thoughts, explain intended actions and prospective memory
Deferred intentions that have high importance repeatedly intrude into awareness, acting as reminders to perform them later (prospective memory are basically to-do’s)
In the context of intrusive thoughts, explain anticipated events
Upcoming events can cause intrusive thoughts due to uncertainty or mixed emotions
In the context of intrusive thoughts, explain uncertain events
Doubts about past actions or anxiety about future outcomes > intrusive worries
In the context of intrusive thoughts, explain cognitive dissonance
Actions that conflict with self-beliefs trigger intrusive thoughts due to the tension arising from inconsistency (need for resolution)
In the context of intrusive thoughts, explain frequent stimuli
Frequently encountered events (e.g., repetitive songs)
In the context of intrusive thoughts, explain mental images
Intrusive thoughts can be vived mental images, especially with highly emotional memories
Three triggers mentioned for intrusive thoughts?
- Cue-driven retrieval (environmental cues that trigger associated memories or thoughts)
- Mood and physiological states (similarity current state and encoding state can trigger intrusions- e.g., sadness triggering memories of a past funeral)
- Diminished cognitive control (stress, fatigue, intoxication and more can reduce the ability to inhibit intrusive thoughts)
What are eight motivations for controlling intrusive thoughts?
- Concentration on tasks
- Perfomance under pressure
- Pain regulation
- Emotional regulation
- Persistence after failure
- Self-image protection
- Social relationships/forgiveness
- Maintaining beliefs
What does intrusive thinking look like in PTSD?
- Recurrent memories, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional distress or physical reactions to trauma related cues
- Triggered by environmental cues
- Flashbacks are immersive and dissociative
What does intrusive thinking look like in OCD?
- Intrusive thoughts are central (and may cause compulsions)
- Ego-dystonic content (conflicting with self-image) or loss of control
What does intrusive thinking look like in SUD?
- Centred around substance-related thoughts/cravings
- Can be triggered by internal or external cues
What does intrusive thinking look like in mood disorders?
- Rumination
- Suicidal ideation
- Negative automatic thoughts
- Mania “flight of ideas”
What does intrusive thinking look like in anxiety disorders?
Anxious arousal (panic) and anxious apprehension (worry)
What does intrusive thinking look like in psychosis?
- Hallucinations/dellusions
- Thought insertion (are thought to be imposed externally by individual)
What does intrusive thinking look like in ADHD?
Distractability, mind-wandering (less salient, but disruptive)
Three key mechanisms underlying intrusive thinking?
no explanation
- Cognitive control processes
- Working memory
- Long-term memory retrieval
How do cognitive control processes affect intrusive thinking?
Failed inhibitory control often involved in instrusive thoughts
How are cognitive control processes & intrusive thoughts studied?
Using paradigms such as thought suppression or intentional forgetting
How do working memory & intrusive thoughts interact?
Intrusive thoughts gain access to working memory when they outcompete other thoughts, influencing attention and performance
