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Review
. 2022 Apr;27(2):136-144.
doi: 10.1017/S1092852920001947. Epub 2020 Oct 21.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder-contamination fears, features, and treatment: novel smartphone therapies in light of global mental health and pandemics (COVID-19)

Baland Jalal  1   2 , Samuel R Chamberlain  1   3 , Trevor W Robbins  2   4 , Barbara J Sahakian  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Obsessive-compulsive disorder-contamination fears, features, and treatment: novel smartphone therapies in light of global mental health and pandemics (COVID-19)

Baland Jalal et al. CNS Spectr. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

This review aims to shed light on the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with a focus on contamination fears. In addition, we will briefly review the current therapies for OCD and detail what their limitations are. A key focus will be on discussing how smartphone solutions may provide approaches to novel treatments, especially when considering global mental health and the challenges imposed by rural environments and limited resources; as well as restrictions imposed by world-wide pandemics such as COVID-19. In brief, research that questions this review will seek to address include: (1) What are the symptoms of contamination-related OCD? (2) How effective are current OCD therapies and what are their limitations? (3) How can novel technologies help mitigate challenges imposed by global mental health and pandemics/COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19.; Obsessive–compulsive disorder; contamination fears; global mental health; smartphone therapies.

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