Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) — Clinical Features and Treatment
The diagnosis of OCD is purely clinical and no investigations are needed and a thorough history of the patient's obsessions and compulsions and their comparison with certain 'identifiable themes' will aid in the diagnosis.
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder in which patients experience either obsessions (intrusive, senseless and anxiety-provoking thoughts) alone or a combination of obsessions and compulsions (anxiety releasing rituals) due to which an individual's level of functioning is affected. Genetic factors, a proposed biological model, and a proposed cognitive-behavioral model are seen to play a role in the pathogenesis of OCD. The diagnosis of OCD is purely clinical and no investigations are needed. A thorough history of the patient's obsessions and compulsions and their comparison with certain 'identifiable themes' will aid in the diagnosis. The management of OCD can be done with a combination of cognitive behavior therapy and physical treatments (tricyclic anti-depressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, anti-glutamatergic agents, deep brain stimulation and psychosurgery) and OCD is related to a number of medical comorbidities.