Disgust sensitivy: Concept and relationship with fears and anxiety disorders

Abstract

There is an increasing research interest on the role of disgust in psychopathology. Although in the last few years one major area of research has investigated the role of disgust in anxiety disorders and anxiety disorder symptoms, this line of research is not without controversy. In this work we accomplish an evaluative review on relationship between disgust sensitivity and some anxiety symptoms, fears and anxiety disorders. Following a clarification of the concept of disgust as a basic emotion, we examine it association with symptoms and disorders related to specific phobias (i.e., phobias to “repulsive animals” –including spider phobias- and blood-injection-injury phobias) and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Finally, we discuss some emerging issues such as the role of disgust domains, the separation between propensity and sensitivity, and the position of disgust propensity/sensitivity as a vulnerability factor in the hierarchic model of fears (S. Taylor, 1998; B. Sandin & P. Chorot, 1999).