Introduction

<aside> <img src="/icons/document_brown.svg" alt="/icons/document_brown.svg" width="40px" /> The outstanding symptom is a feeling of subjective compulsion— which must be resisted— to carry out some action, to dwell on an idea, to recall an experience, or ruminate on an abstract topic. Unwanted thoughts, which include the insistency of words or ideas, ruminations or trains of thought, are perceived by the patient to be inappropriate or nonsensical. The obsessional urge or idea is recognized as alien to the personality but as coming from within the self. Obsessional actions may be quasi ritual performances designed to relieve anxiety, e.g. washing the hands to deal with contamination.

- ICD- 9

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Obsession

<aside> <img src="/icons/document_brown.svg" alt="/icons/document_brown.svg" width="40px" /> Obsessions are recurrent persistent thoughts, impulse or image that enters into mind despite efforts to exclude them.

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Various forms of obsession

Contents of obsession

Compulsion

<aside> <img src="/icons/document_brown.svg" alt="/icons/document_brown.svg" width="40px" /> Compulsions are repetitive & seemingly purposeful behaviour performed in a stereotyped way.

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Compulsive acts

Diagnostic Criteria

Differential diagnosis

Treatment

<aside> 🔖 Further Read: Shorter Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry 7th edition

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