The linguistic construction of the self in narratives of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

ABSTRACT Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health problem characterised by distressing obsessions and repetitive compulsions. The autogenous-reactive model of OCD outlines two types of obsessions: 1) reactive, which are triggered by stimuli external to the self (e.g. electrical appliances) and 2) autogenous, which are triggered by stimuli internal to the self (e.g. memories) (Lee and Kwon, 2003). This article demonstrates the differences in the linguistic construction of the self within narratives told by people with OCD about reactive and autogenous obsessions. Narratives are analysed by focusing on the entity placed as grammatical subject. It is found that, within autogenous narratives, personified thoughts and the mind are placed as grammatical subject more often than within reactive narratives. autogenous narratives. These patterns potentially construct the self as agentive and responsible in reactive obsessions but in need of protection in autogenous obsessions.