Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) is characterized by recurrent obsessions or compulsions causing marked distress. The lifetime prevalence of OCD in general population is estimated about 2~3%. OCD can usually be distinguished from psychosis by the facts that the patients recognize the irrational nature of the symptoms. OCD is also different from obsessive-compulsive personality in that the patients suffer from obsessions and compulsions which accompany marked distress. The etiology of OCD is not know yet. However, numerous studies suggest that OCD may be associated with several psychological and neurobiological factors such as functional abnormalities of cortico-striatal circuit and serotonin.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRI) are the first-line drugs for the treatmemt of OCD. Approximately 50~80% of OCD patients improved with these anti-obsessional drugs with average reduction in symptoms between 30~70%. Benefits may not appear for 2 or more weeks. Continuing a medication for more than 10 weeks is required to determine the anti-obsessional efficacy. Maintenance treatment is usually required for more than several months. Cognitive-behavioral therapy also proved to be effective, particularly for patients with prominent compulsions. Therefore, it is a logical choice to combine pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. For extreme cases electroconvulsive therapy(ECT) or stereotaxic neurosurgery may be considered. However, at present, neurosurgery is recommended only for a few patients who remained severely disabled even after years of sufficient treatments.