Obsessive-compulsive disorder--the role of the GP

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes high levels of morbidity and is commonly associated with long delays between onset of symptoms and access to diagnosis and treatment.

To address some of the key clinical questions about detecting and managing OCD from the general practice perspective.

General practitioners play a crucial role in recognising OCD, in facilitating timely access to evidence-based therapies and providing ongoing follow-up and support. Exposure and response prevention, and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors have the strongest evidence for efficacy in patients with OCD.