Obsessive-compulsive disorder and recalcitrant emotion: relocating the seat of irrationality

It is widely agreed that obsessive-compulsive disorder involves irrationality. But where in the complex of states and processes constitutes OCD should this irrationality be located? A pervasive assumption both psychiatric philosophical literature seat located obsessive thoughts characteristic OCD. Building on a puzzle about insight into OCD, we challenge assumption, argue instead emotions are such as anxiety or fear. In particular, propose to understand matter harboring recalcitrant emotions. We account not only solves insight, but also makes better sense how sufferers experience describe their condition helps explain some otherwise puzzling features compulsive behavior.