Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent, chronic
and disabling disorder characterised by obsessional thoughts and
compulsive behaviours (APA, 2013a;
WHO, 2018). It is a
condition shrouded with stigma and shame.
Although effective psychological and pharmacological treatments
are available, delays in diagnosis and treatment of the disorder
occur. Better recognition and improved access to evidence-based
treatment is needed.
This module provides guidance on how common obsessive-compulsive
disorder is, how best to recognise people with the disorder and
current theories about its aetiology.
Aimed at psychiatrists and mental health workers in general
adult, forensic, old age and child and adolescent psychiatry, it
will take the reader through the diagnosis, psychopathology and
differential diagnosis, classification, epidemiology, aetiological
theories, comorbid disorders as well as the standardised assessment
and measurement of OCD.
By the end of this module the reader should be
able to demonstrate an understanding of the complexities involved
in the comprehensive assessment of OCD, as the first essential step
in the clinical management of the disorder.
Start the
module