Abstract

COUTO, Letícia de Studinski Ramos Brito; RODRIGUES, Lidiane; VIVAN, Analise de Souza  and  KRISTENSEN, Christian Haag. Heterogeneity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): a selective review of the literature. Contextos Clínic [online]. 2010, vol.3, n.2, pp.132-140. ISSN 1983-3482.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most prevalent mental disorders. In spite of this, the lack of recognition of its characteristic symptoms can lead to delay in the diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the variability of clinical manifestations and the diversity of symptoms are confusing factors by the time of diagnosis. Currently, it is made based on the manuals of diagnostic classification DSM-IV and CID-10 that describes the disorder as one single entity. However, OCD is underdiagnosed due to its heterogeneity from a clinical viewpoint and considering etiological factors and response to treatment. Comorbidities also make the diagnosis even more complex. Therefore, the accurate differential diagnosis is extremely important. This paper intends to review the available scientific literature regarding the diversity of clinical expression, the comorbidities that complicate the diagnosis, and the uncommon symptoms of OCD.

Keywords : obsessive-compulsive disorder; psychopathology; diagnosis.

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