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Review
. 2006 Aug 26;333(7565):424-9.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.333.7565.424.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

I Heyman  1 , D Mataix-Cols, N A Fineberg
Affiliations
Review

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

I Heyman et al. BMJ. .
No abstract available

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
The obsessive-compulsive disorder cycle. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts (ideas, images, or impulses) that repeatedly enter a person's mind against his or her will. These generate considerable anxiety and are difficult to dismiss. Compulsions or rituals are repetitive acts that are performed in an attempt to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessions, but the relief is only temporary. Later in the course of obsessive-compulsive disorder, rituals can become more automatic and increase, rather than reduce, the anxiety. Psychological theories of obsessive-compulsive disorder suggest that ritualising maintains the problem as it prevents habituation to the anxiety and disconfirmation of the patient's fears. Psychological therapies aim to break this cycle by persuading patients to expose themselves to the feared situations while refraining from performing any rituals; this is known as exposure and response prevention
Fig 2
Fig 2
Treatment options for children and young people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. CBT=cognitive behaviour therapy; ERP=exposure and response prevention; SSRI=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. (Adapted from NICE guideline6)
Fig 3
Fig 3
Treatment options for adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). CBT=cognitive behaviour therapy; ERP=exposure and response prevention; SSRI=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. (Adapted from NICE guideline6)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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MeSH terms

Substances