Worry and its relation with checking and washing subtypes of (OCD)

The aim of this research was to study worry and emotional processing indicators in individuals with OCD and to compare the checking and washing subtypes of this disorder. Sixty individuals with OCD (30 checkers and 30 washers) and 60 individuals as control (30 anxious and 30 normal) were selected and were matched in demographic characteristics with the checker group. The OCD were interviewed using DSM-IV criteria for OCD and the group who responded to the Maudsley Obsessive- Compulsive Inventory were divided in two groups (checkers and washers). The level of subjects worry were examined using the worry questionnaire, and the indicators of emotional processing were assessed through subjects ratings of their own subjective distress and the changes in their heart rate in response to imaginary fearful scenes. The results showed that the checkers differed from washers and normal and control groups in the level of worry they had experienced. Also after exposure to imaginal fearful scenes, the checkers showed lower emotional processing indicators. The results showed that we can distinguish washing and checking subtypes of OCD based on their worry level and emotional processing indicators.