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OCD and transvestism: is there a relationship?
C H Abdo1, A Hounie, M de Tubino Scanavino
1Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|June 13, 2001
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can co-occur with transvestism. Egodystonic cross-dressing in OCD patients may indicate a better treatment response, suggesting distinct underlying mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Comorbidity between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and paraphilias is increasingly recognized.
- Understanding the relationship between OCD and specific paraphilias like transvestism is crucial for effective treatment.
Observation:
- Two cases of co-occurring OCD and transvestism were studied using longitudinal case studies and semi-structured interviews.
- Patients exhibited varied clinical presentations and responses to treatment.
Findings:
- The patient whose transvestism was more egodystonic (personally distressing) showed a better response to treatment.
- This suggests that the degree of egodystonia may differentiate OCD-related transvestism from other forms.
Implications:
- Transvestism may be linked to OCD in some individuals, while in others, it might relate to gender identity disorder.
- A dimensional approach examining shared phenomenological and neurobiological factors is recommended for managing and researching these conditions.