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Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Obsessions in normality and psychopathology.

Rianne M Blom¹, Carla Hagestein-de Bruijn, Ron de Graaf

¹Department of Psychiatry, Academical Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Depression and Anxiety

|September 8, 2011

Summary

Obsessions are common in the general population and negatively impact health and well-being. They also frequently co-occur with psychiatric disorders, suggesting they are a distinct dimension of mental illness.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Mental Health Research
Epidemiology

Background:

Investigates the prevalence of obsessions in the general population.
Examines the impact of obsessions on functioning and quality of life.
Assesses obsessions within the context of various psychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

Determine the frequency of obsessions in the general population.
Evaluate the association between obsessions and general functioning/quality of life.
Understand the prevalence of obsessions in individuals with psychiatric disorders.

Main Methods:

Utilized data from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS).
Employed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) for diagnostic assessment.
Assessed quality of life using the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ).

Main Results:

Lifetime prevalence of obsessions in the general population was 5.3%; 12-month prevalence was 1.7%.
Individuals with obsessions reported significantly worse outcomes on all SF-36 dimensions and GHQ.
Obsessions remained significantly associated with poor health even after controlling for other mental disorders.

Conclusions:

Obsessions are prevalent in the general population and linked to diminished health and well-being.
Obsessions frequently co-occur with psychiatric disorders.
Suggests obsessions should be considered a distinct dimension across disorders, not solely a symptom of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).