Comparison of Thought-Action Fusion Beliefs among Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Normal People

Some of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder patients believe that their unpleasant, unacceptable thoughts can influence events in the world. Two forms of ‘‘Thought-Action Fusion’’ (TAF) have been identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between thought-action fusion beliefs and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and also compare thought-action beliefs among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, genera-lized anxiety disorder, and normal people. Twenty-five patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 25 patients with generalized anxiety disorder, and 25 normal participants took part in this study. In order to measure thought-action fusion beliefs and obsessive-compulsive disorders symptoms, the Thought Fusion Instrument (TFI) and Padua Inventory (PI) were used. Results indicated positive and significant correlation between the TFI and PI. Also Results indicated the OCD and GAD patients differed from normal participants on thought-action fusion beliefs. However, the OCD and GAD groups did not differ on any of the thought-action subscales except for the thought-object fusion (TOF). It is suggested that TAF is not specific to OCD, but also prevalent in other anxiety disorders.