OCD is a frequently debilitating and often severe anxiety disorder, characterised by obsessions and compulsions

Symptoms can cause significant impairment and/or distress

Pathophysiology:

• May be caused by elevated seretonin levels

Epidemiology:

• affects approximately 2% of the population.

Risk factors:

• Family Hx of OCD
• PANDAS (paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection)
• Pregnancy
• Male sex

PC

• Obsessions - an unwanted intrusive thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters the person's mind
• Compulsions - repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform
  • A compulsion can either be overt and observable by others, such as checking that a door is locked, or a covert mental act that cannot be observed, such as repeating a certain phrase in one's mind.

Structured clinical interview for the DSM (SCID) - structured tool for determining whether patient meets DSM criteria for OCD