Pathological Doubt
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Pathological doubt is an obsessive state where patients constantly doubt their actions and repeatedly check their behavior, such as whether doors are locked or lights are off. In severe cases, it prevents patients from maintaining systematic work, regular eating, and sleep patterns.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
PATHOLOGICAL DOUBT (folie du doute), an obsessive state in which the patient constantly doubts the correctness of their actions and is forced to repeatedly check their behavior, for example, whether the door is locked, whether the address is written correctly, whether the light is turned off, etc. In pronounced cases, patients lose the ability for systematic work, regular nutrition, and sleep, as they are forced to waste time and energy uselessly on checking their actions and thoughts. Pathological doubt corresponds in a pathologically exaggerated, unregulated by will form to the natural human tendency to accurately fulfill one's duties. Like other obsessive states, pathological doubt is characteristic of a constitution in which the patient maintains a critical attitude toward their pathological symptom; in addition, pathological doubt is found in schizophrenics.
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“Pathological Doubt.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/pathological-doubt/