PRIMARY OBSESSIONAL SLOWNESS - LONG-TERM FINDINGS

Cases of slowness among patients who spent large amounts of time to pe rform daily activities were first reported in 1974, and described as p rimary obsessional slowness (POS). It was observed that it was neither obsessive thoughts nor compulsions that directly hindered their daily activities. However, in more than 20 years following the original rep ort, the diagnostic independence of POS remains controversial, some in sisting that obsessional slowness can be explained as secondary. The a uthors experienced four cases in Japan which share the same characteri stics as the original cases. Long-term observation and treatment has l ed us to support the diagnostic independence of POS. Slowness remained after other accompanying symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder ha d been successfully treated, showing that the slowness of our patients was not secondary. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.