Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) combines undesired thoughts and fears (obsessions) with repetitive actions (compulsions) that seek to reduce the anxiety generated. This symptomatology generates important malaise on the person experiencing it. It appears during childhood or teenage years, typically before the age of 25.
There are four groups of symptoms related to OCD:
1) Thoughts of contamination, which generate exposure avoidance behaviour and/or continuous washing.
2) Thoughts of constant doubt, which compel repeated checking.
3) Intrusive thoughts of acts that the person considers reprehensible, such as sexual or aggressive behaviour.
4) Thoughts in relation to time control that force extremely slow behaviour
The diagnosis is clinical, through a guided interrogation of a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Treatment usually includes "exposure and response prevention" behavioural therapy and medication.
- A Chinchilla, J. Correas, FJ Quintero, M Vega. Manual de urgencias psiquiátricas. Elsevier Masson. Cuadros obsesivos. Pág: 406-407.
- Guía de consulta de los diagnósticos del DSM-5. American Psychiatric association. Editorial Médica Panamericana. Trastorno Obsesivo Compulsivo y trastornos relacionados. Pág: 145-157.
