Obsessive compulsive related disorders

Question 1

DSM criteria for OCD

Answer 1

A. presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both

obsessions are defined by (1) and (2)

recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and unwanted, and cause marked anxiety or distress in most individuals

the individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action (i.e. by performing a compulsion; see below)

compulsions are defined by (1) and (2)

repetitive behaviours (e.g. hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g. praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly

behaviours/mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or distress, or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviours or mental acts are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent, or are clearly excessive

B. the obsessions or compulsions are time consuming (e.g. take >1 h/d) or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

C. the obsessive-compulsive symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition

D. the disturbance is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder

Question 3

DSM criteria for body dysmorphic disorder

Answer 3

A. Preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others.

B. At some point during the course of the disorder, the individual has performed repetitive behaviors (e.g., mirror checking, excessive grooming, skin picking, reassurance seek- ing) or mental acts (e.g., comparing his or her appearance with that of others) in re- sponse to the appearance concerns.

C. The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D. The appearance preoccupation is not better explained by concerns with body fat or weight in an individual whose symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder.

Question 4

What is obsessional jealousy?

Answer 4

• nondelusional preoccupation with a partner’s perceived infidelity
• The preoccupations may lead to repetitive behaviors or mental acts in response to the infidelity concerns
• they cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
• they are not better explained by another mental disorder such as delusional disorder, jealous type, or paranoid personality disorder.