Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): An Overview

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic and prevalent psychiatric disorder. It is complex, resulting in the disorder often being misunderstood and misdiagnosed. ‘Obsessions’ refer to distressing and ego dystonic thoughts, urges or images that are recurrent, persistent, intrusive and unwanted. In response to these obsessions, individuals with OCD feel driven or compelled to perform repetitive behaviours, rituals or mental acts known as ‘compulsions’. These compulsions are usually performed to reduce the anxiety caused by, or to neutralise an obsession. The following paper aims to provide an overview of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder by shedding light on the various aspects and domains of the disorder. It does so by covering definitions and traits that characterise ‘obsessions’ and ‘compulsions’, followed by the historic use and evolution of terminology and nomenclature used to refer to the disorder. The paper then covers the various themes that obsessions and compulsions may present with. The paper moves on to the diagnostic criteria of OCD as mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Text Revision, Fifth Edition, followed by the assessment of OCD along with the process of differential diagnosis. OCD is often associated with other psychiatric disorders. This aspect of OCD is covered in the section on comorbidities followed by the sections on psychotherapeutic (psychotherapy) and pharmacological treatment (pharmacotherapy). Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion on the causes of OCD along with onset of the disorder.