Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Disease Summary

Obsession is a recurrent, persistent, intrusive, unwanted thought, image or urge that cause distressing emotions (eg anxiety and disgust), while compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act that the person feels driven to perform, in order to lessen the distress caused by the obsession.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by the presence of either obsessions or compulsions, but more commonly by both symptoms that can cause marked impairment or distress.
A clinical interview that elicits a history of intrusive thoughts or behavioral rituals is the primary method of establishing the diagnosis.
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder involves both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to be effective.

For further information regarding the management of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.