Dissociative symptoms in obsessive-compulsive dimensions

Previous studies have described co-occurrence between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and dissociation. We intended to evaluate the phenomenologic al association between different obsessive-compulsive and dissociative symp toms more precisely. Seventy patients with OCD (DSM-IV) were evaluated with the Hamburg Obsessive-Compulsive inventory (HZI) and the Dissociation Expe rience Scale. Correlation and discriminant analysis were performed. The dim ensions 'Checking' and 'Symmetry and Ordering' were significantly related t o dissociative symptomatology. A clear-cut lack of association was found in 'Washing and Cleaning', 'Counting and Touching' and 'Aggressive Impulses a nd Fantasies'. HZI dimensions significantly discriminated patients with hig h from patients with low dissociative symptomatology. Psychodynamic and the rapeutical aspects of these findings are discussed. Copyright (C) 1999 S. K arger AG. Basel.