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Does neurosurgery for obsessive-compulsive disorder produce personality change?
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Neurosurgery for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) rarely causes personality change. Most patients report improved mood and sociability, though some experience negative personality shifts.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Intractable obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) poses significant challenges.
- Neurosurgical interventions are explored for severe, treatment-resistant OCD cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess long-term personality changes in patients with OCD following neurosurgery.
- To evaluate the impact of neurosurgery on various personality traits and psychological well-being.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen patients with OCD underwent neurosurgery.
- Personality changes were assessed using a 34-item schedule with patient and informant ratings.
- Follow-up occurred a mean of 10 years post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Most patients reported no significant personality changes.
- Improvements were noted in reduced obsessionality, emotional expression, sociability, and anxiety.
- A small number experienced negative personality changes, some resembling frontal lobe effects.
- Neuroticism, anxiety, depression, and pleasure capacity significantly improved.
Conclusions:
- Stereotactic surgery for OCD generally does not lead to widespread personality alteration.
- A minority of patients may experience positive or negative personality impacts.
- Obsessionality improvement and "frontal lobe type" personality changes are notable in some cases.