Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
09:29
Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Published on: January 9, 2015
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: diagnostic and treatment issues
Dan J Stein1, Damiaan Denys, Andrew T Gloster
1Deparment of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. dan.stein@uct.ac.za
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|September 1, 2009
Summary
This review covers obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) diagnosis and treatment, highlighting advances like SSRIs and CBT. It emphasizes improving OCD awareness and developing new strategies for treatment-resistant cases.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) management has advanced with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
- Despite advances, significant challenges remain in OCD awareness, management, and treatment for refractory patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current issues in the diagnosis and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- To discuss potential modifications to diagnostic criteria based on emerging evidence of OCD symptom dimensions and subtyping.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current issues in OCD diagnosis and treatment.
- Analysis of evidence regarding OCD symptom dimensions and subtyping.
Main Results:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) represent significant therapeutic advances for OCD.
- Current diagnostic criteria for OCD may benefit from revision.
- Growing evidence supports the utility of OCD symptom dimensions and subtyping.
Conclusions:
- There is a need to enhance public and clinical awareness of OCD.
- Novel treatment approaches are required for patients with treatment-refractory OCD.
- Incorporating emerging data on OCD symptom dimensions and subtyping into diagnostic systems is timely.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both, which consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning. Obsessions involve persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that evoke anxiety. Common examples include irrational fears of contamination or harm. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. For instance, individuals...
01:24Personality Disorders: Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive
Dependent personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are two separate psychological conditions that influence behavior, relationships, and overall life functioning. Though both involve maladaptive behaviors, their core characteristics and motivations differ significantly.
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with...
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with...
01:18Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
01:27Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Diagnostic Criteria and...
01:24Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Treatment approaches for psychological disorders fall into three main categories: psychological, biological, and sociocultural. Each approach targets different aspects of mental health, requiring varying levels of education and training.
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...