Autistic traits in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with a higher prevalence of Cluster A personality disorders compared to other non-psychotic psychiatric conditions.
• Investigating the co-occurrence of personality traits and autistic features in OCD is crucial for understanding diagnostic overlaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationship between personality traits, personality disorders, and autistic features in subjects with OCD.
• To examine the association between autistic traits and specific personality disorders within an OCD population.
• To assess the potential link between OCD, high-functioning autism (HFA), and Asperger disorder.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-four subjects with OCD were assessed using the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) and DSM-adapted questionnaires for personality disorders.
• Autistic traits were evaluated in 29 subjects via videotaped assessments by three independent raters.
• Statistical comparisons were made between OCD subjects with and without autistic traits.

Main Results:

• Twenty percent of OCD subjects exhibited autistic traits.
• OCD subjects with autistic traits showed higher scores on muscular tension, psychasthenia, and inhibition of aggression, and lower scores on socialization.
• Individuals with autistic traits in the OCD group were diagnosed more frequently with anxious and paranoid personality disorders.

Conclusions:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may frequently co-occur with high-functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger disorder.
• Self-report questionnaires can aid in diagnosing these overlapping conditions.
• Individuals with pronounced autistic features may have reduced self-awareness of these traits.