Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders are conditions characterized by obsessions, which are “recurrent, and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted” and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that are applied rigidly” (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013; p. 235).
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions that may be based on beliefs about perfectionism, inflated responsibility, overestimating threats, or over-importance of thoughts. Repetitive behaviors are engaged in as an attempt to offset the threat or reduce anxiety.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder - characterized by perceived bodily flaws or defects in appearance
Hoarding Disorder - characterized by perceived need to acquire and save material possessions
Trichotillomania - characterized by recurrent hair pulling that leads to distress with repeated attempts to stop
Excoriation Disorder - characterized by recurrent skin picking that leads to distress with repeated attempts to stop
Substance/Medication-Induced Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorder - characterized by obsessions and compulsions that are due to intoxication or withdrawal of a substance of abuse or prescribed medication
Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorder due to Another Medical Condition - characterized by obsessions and compulsions that are a direct consequence of another medical condition.
Diagnostic Considerations:
Clinicians treat people who describe their experiences with obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Characterized by compulsivity more than anxiety, they moved from the anxiety chapter in the last revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), due to recognition that they were characterized by compulsivity more than anxiety (APA, 2013).
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders are included in the international Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11; World Health Organization, 2018).
Treatment:
Treatment for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders vary dependent on factors including co-occurring disorders. Common psychotherapeutic approaches support conscious awareness of feelings, emotion regulation enhancement, coping and calming strategies, supported exposure to feared situations, appropriate responses to physical and psychological cues such as triggers of anxiety, and collaboration with medical prescribers.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Author.
World Health Organization. (2019). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). https://icd.who.int/