OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER - COMORBID CONDITIONS

According to DSM-IV criteria, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a n anxiety disorder that is characterized by recurrent, intrusive image s or thoughts and/or stereotyped, repetitive behaviors that are associ ated with marked distress, anxiety, or psychosocial impairment. The di fferential diagnosis of OCD can be quite difficult since OCD symptomat ology can occur as either primary or secondary phenomena. Comorbid dep ression or personality disorder is not uncommon in patients with prima ry OCD. Other comorbid conditions that occur with OCD can be divided i nto three major groups based on core features: (1) disorders of altere d risk assessment; (2) incompleteness/habit-spectrum disorders; and (3 ) psychotic spectrum disorders. Such a categorization of core dimensio ns and comorbid conditions may prove useful in identifying distinct OC D subtypes that share underlying neurobiological or treatment response characteristics.