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Panic and phobic disorders in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder
L S Austin1, R B Lydiard, M D Fossey
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) often co-occurs with other anxiety disorders. Patients with a history of anxiety disorders showed a significantly better response to clomipramine treatment for OCD.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) shares clinical similarities with various anxiety disorders.
- Understanding the relationship between OCD and comorbid anxiety conditions is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of other anxiety disorders in patients diagnosed with OCD.
- To examine the impact of comorbid anxiety disorders on treatment response to clomipramine in OCD patients.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 36 patients diagnosed with OCD.
- The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III was used to assess lifetime history and current diagnoses of anxiety disorders.
- Treatment response was evaluated in 18 patients receiving clomipramine (≥100 mg/day for 3 months).
Main Results:
- 39% of OCD patients reported a history of panic attacks; 14% met criteria for panic disorder.
- 14% met criteria for social phobias, and 19% for simple phobias.
- Patients with a history of other anxiety disorders demonstrated a significantly improved response to clomipramine therapy.
Conclusions:
- Comorbidity with anxiety disorders is common in OCD patients.
- The presence of comorbid anxiety disorders predicts a better treatment outcome with clomipramine in OCD.