Obsessive –Compulsive Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Systematic Review

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis systematic review evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on obsessive –compulsive symptoms.Recent FindingsMost studies showed that obsessive –compulsive symptoms worsened during the early stages of the pandemic, particularly for individuals with contamination-related obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), though other symptoms dimensions were found to worsen as well. Many patients and individuals in the general population experienced n ew obsessive–compulsive-like symptoms centered on COVID-19. Self-reported rates of symptom exacerbation and COVID-19-focused symptoms were consistently lower in studies that recruited patients from specialty clinics (compared to online samples). Most studies were conducted in Spring/Summer, 2020.SummaryThe COVID-19 pandemic has been an enormous stressor for individuals with OCD, especially for those with contamination symptoms. Regardless, there is strong reason to believe gold standard treatment approaches for OCD have maintained strong efficacy. Disseminating and effectively delivering evidence-based treatments for OCD is an urgent public health priority.
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research