Obsessive-compulsive disorder and delusions revisited

The concept of fixed, unshakeable (delusional) beliefs within the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one that has received varying amounts of attention in the literature, and has not yet received universal acknowledgement. There are good grounds for including these cases within the di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of psychiatry 2000-03, Vol.176 (3), p.281-284
Main Authors: O'Dwyer, Anne-Marie, Marks, Isaac
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age
Behavior Therapy
Child
Delusions
Delusions - etiology
Delusions - psychology
Delusions - therapy
Disease Management
Female
Health care management
Humans
Male
Neuroses
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - complications
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - psychology
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - therapy
Patients
Psychiatry
Psychosis
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use
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Summary:The concept of fixed, unshakeable (delusional) beliefs within the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one that has received varying amounts of attention in the literature, and has not yet received universal acknowledgement. There are good grounds for including these cases within the diagnostic concepts of OCD, with significant implications for clinical management. To present cases with unusual OCD, in order to re-evaluate the issue of delusions and OCD. The cases of five subjects with delusions in the course of obsessive-compulsive disorder are presented to illustrate 'delusional' OCD. The management and outcome of these cases are discussed. Fixity and bizarreness of beliefs in OCD occur on a continuum from 'none' to 'delusional intensity' and may fluctuate within subjects. The idea that these cases may represent a form of OCD has implications for management, as, if this is correct, they should be able to respond to appropriate behavioural and/or pharmacological strategies used in OCD.
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.176.3.281