Obsessive-compulsive disorder: course and interaction with depression. A review of the literature

Long-term follow-up studies suggest that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is commonly associated with co-morbid conditions such as depression anxieties and phobias. In the review of the literature the weaknesses in the current methodology are discussed. The instruments for measurement of severity are lacking reliability and sensitivity to change. Serious questions are asked about whether the measured changes reflect alterations in depression in general, or obsessional phenomena specifically. No instruments exist for the documentation of long-term course of OCD and documentation of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. In a preliminary report we want to introduce our own study. Approximately 40 OCD inpatients of the psychiatric clinic, University of Vienna, with and without primary or secondary depression diagnosed simultaneously by DSM-III-R and ICD-9 criteria will be included in the study. In general, the major goal of the preliminary reported study will be the elaboration of predictors for course, outcome and therapy response.