Starvation in obsessive-compulsive disorder due to scrupulosity

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can manifest with diverse religious obsessions and compulsions, known as scrupulosity.
• Extreme religious practices, such as excessive fasting, are rarely reported as a primary manifestation of OCD leading to severe physical consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an atypical and severe presentation of OCD characterized by self-starvation due to scrupulosity.
• To highlight the potential for extreme religious compulsions to cause significant physical morbidity.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing a patient's clinical history, symptoms, and progression.
• Clinical observation and assessment of the patient's physical and psychological state.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with OCD featuring intense religious obsessions and compulsions.
• Excessive fasting led to severe emaciation, extreme weakness, and bedridden status.

Conclusions:

• Scrupulosity can manifest in extreme behaviors, including life-threatening self-starvation.
• Recognizing unusual presentations of OCD is crucial for timely and effective intervention.