[Obsessive compulsive disorder]

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling psychiatric problem frequently encountered, with a chronic, fluctuating course. Several symptomatic categories are described, depending on the kind of symptoms displayed and on underlying cognitive disturbances and beliefs. OCD has a strong genetic component but environmental factors leading to cerebral lesions in the striatum have also been implicated. Treatment usually associates medication and behavior therapy. It has a favorable impact, most of the time, on the patients' functioning, total remission being rather rare.