Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A Quick Overview

About this course

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating chronic mental health condition that cuts across cultures and demographics, affecting an estimated 1.2% of the US population. While remission is possible in adulthood without intervention, individuals with OCD often live with difficulty to the extent that it impairs their daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. This course aims to provide an overview of OCD, including its clinical presentation, etiology, diagnosis, treatment options, and long-term management strategies. It also examines nursing considerations based on the latest study findings and evidence-based practices to provide healthcare professionals with the fundamental knowledge and skills to foster better health outcomes for patients living with this challenging condition.

Learning objectives

• Define obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
• Review the relationship between obsessive compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), and other conditions that are associated with obsessive compulsive disorder.
• Review the causes of obsession and compulsion symptoms, and neuroimaging findings regarding differences in the brain structure and functioning.
• Review risk factors that may contribute to the development of OCD, including genetic, biological, temperamental, and environmental influences.
• Distinguish between obsessive compulsive disorder as described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and differential diagnoses, including anxiety disorders.
• Understand the available treatment options and long-term management of those afflicted with obsessive compulsive disorder.

Course outline

14 sections · finish in any order across devices

1. 1

   Introduction

   Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating chronic mental health condition that cuts across cultures and demographics, affecting an estimated 1.2% of the US population.2 Yet despite its prevalence, OCD is often misdiagnosed or complicated by the co-occurrence of other mental health disord

   4 min

2. 2

   Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorders

   To understand OCD, it is important to acknowledge generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), as there is a close relationship between these mental health conditions and overlapping symptoms.20 Anxiety disorders are a prevalent mental health concern characterized by excessive anxiety and worry about variou

   4 min

3. 3

   Definition of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

   As described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental health disorder that presents with obsessions, compulsions, or both that may fluctuate over time and worsen during periods of stress.2 Obsessions are intrusive

   4 min

4. 4

   Obsessive Compulsive-Related Disorders

   Within the spectrum of OCD, there are several other obsessive-compulsive-related conditions characterized by a fixation on a specific preoccupation, repetitive behaviors or mental acts.2 These disorders include:

   4 min

5. 5

   Causes of Obsession and Compulsion Symptoms

   The exact causes of OCD are not fully understood, but ongoing research suggests that an amalgamation of genetic, environmental, neurological, and psychological factors may influence its development. 21,23 Numerous family and twin studies have provided compelling evidence for the heritability of OCD,

   4 min

6. 6

   Risk Factors

   Several risk factors contribute to the development of OCD, spanning genetic, biological, temperamental, and environmental influences.23 Understanding the risk factors can help healthcare professionals identify individuals at higher risk for developing OCD and implement early intervention strategies

   4 min

7. 7

   Diagnosis

   Diagnosing OCD involves assessing the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both, along with five specific criteria outlined in DSM-5:2

   4 min

8. 8

   Differential Diagnosis

   Differential diagnosis is a crucial aspect of accurately identifying OCD and distinguishing it from other mental health conditions that may present with similar symptoms.2 Several disorders commonly considered in the differential diagnosis of OCD include anxiety disorders: 2

   4 min

9. 9

   Psychotherapy

   Specific forms of psychotherapy shown to be as effective for OCD includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is overwhelmingly regarded as the "gold standard" of treatment and is widely used to treat adults and ch

   4 min

10. 10

    Brain Stimulation

    Two forms of brain stimulation are used to treat OCD: 1

    4 min

11. 11

    Medication

    Medications used to manage obsessive-compulsive behaviors include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), both antidepressants.23 Serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine, sertraline and fluvoxamine, are considered the first-line treatment for OC

    4 min

12. 12

    Long-Term Management

    Once OCD behaviors are eliminated or considerably reduced following an initial course of medication and psychotherapy, long-term management focuses on maintenance treatment to keep the gains achieved during active treatment, and prevent relapse.4 This is especially important because OCD is a chronic

    4 min

13. 13

    Nursing Considerations

    When treating or interacting with patients diagnosed with OCD, nurses play a crucial role in their management. For all patients diagnosed with OCD, holistic assessment is essential for comprehensive care. Nurses should consider various aspects of the patient's physical, psychological, social, and en

    4 min

14. 14

    Conclusion

    Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex mental health condition influenced by a myriad of factors, including genetic predispositions, biological vulnerabilities, temperamental traits, and environmental stressors. It severely affects individuals across various demographics and often complica

    4 min

This course satisfies

Requirement summaries come from our state requirement records. Always confirm details with your board before you renew.

References and resources

• Adu, M. K., Eboreime, E., Sapara, A. O., Greenshaw, A. J., Chue, P., & Agyapong, V. I. O. (2021). The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a scoping review. Mental Illness, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/mij-05-2021-0002
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), 5(5). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
• American Psychiatric Association. (2017). What Are Anxiety Disorders? Psychiatry.org; American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders
• Balachander, S., Bajaj, A., Hazari, N., Kumar, A., Anand, N., Manjula, M., Sudhir, P. M., Cherian, A. V., Narayanaswamy, J. C., Jaisoorya, T. S., Math, S. B., Kandavel, T., Arumugham, S. S., & Janardhan Reddy, Y. C. (2020). Long-term Outcomes of Intensive Inpatient Care for Severe, Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Résultats à long terme de soins intensifs à des patients hospitalisés pour un trouble obsessionnel-compulsif grave et résistant. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 65(11), 779–789. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743720927830
• DeMartini, J., Patel, G., & Fancher, T. L. (2019). Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Annals of Internal Medicine, 170(7), ITC49. https://doi.org/10.7326/aitc201904020
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• Katz, T. C., Bui, T. H., Worhach, J., Bogut, G., & Tomczak, K. K. (2022). Tourettic OCD: Current understanding and treatment challenges of a unique endophenotype. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.929526
• Law, C., & Boisseau, C. L. (2019). Exposure and response prevention in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current perspectives. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Volume 12(1167-1174), 1167–1174. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s211117
• Leisman, G., & Sheldon, D. (2022). Tics and Emotions. Brain Sciences, 12(2), 242. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12020242
• Mar-Barrutia, L., Real, E., Segalás, C., Bertolín, S., Menchón, J. M., & Alonso, P. (2021). Deep brain stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review of worldwide experience after 20 years. World Journal of Psychiatry, 11(9), 659–680. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v11.i9.659
• Marx, W., Penninx, B. W. J. H., Solmi, M., Furukawa, T. A., Firth, J., Carvalho, A. F., & Berk, M. (2023). Major depressive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-023-00454-1
• Menchón, J. M., van Ameringen, M., Dell’Osso, B., Denys, D., Figee, M., Grant, J. E., Hollander, E., Marazziti, D., Nicolini, H., Pallanti, S., Ruck, C., Shavitt, R., Stein, D. J., Andersson, E., Bipeta, R., Cath, D. C., Drummond, L., Feusner, J., Geller, D. A., & Hranov, G. (2016). Standards of care for obsessive–compulsive disorder centres. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 20(3), 204–208. https://doi.org/10.1080/13651501.2016.1197275
• Nasir, M., Trujillo, D., Levine, J., Dwyer, J. B., Rupp, Z. W., & Bloch, M. H. (2020). Glutamate Systems in DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders: Their Role and a Review of Glutamate and GABA Psychopharmacology. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.548505
• Palermo, S., Marazziti, D., Baroni, S., Barberi, F. M., & Mucci, F. (2020). The Relationships Between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Psychosis: An Unresolved Issue. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 17(3), 149–157. https://doi.org/10.36131/cnfioritieditore20200302
• Pittenger, C. (2023). The Pharmacological Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2022.11.005
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• Roh, D., Ki Won Jang, & Kim, C.-H. (2023). Clinical Advances in Treatment Strategies for Obsessive-compulsive Disorder in Adults. Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience : The Official Scientific Journal of the Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 21(4), 676–685. https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.23.1075
• Schüller, T., Kohl, S., Dembek, T., Tittgemeyer, M., Huys, D., Visser-Vandewalle, V., Li, N., Wehmeyer, L., Barbe, M., Kuhn, J., & Baldermann, J. C. (2022). Internal Capsule/Nucleus Accumbens Deep Brain Stimulation Increases Impulsive Decision Making in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.10.005
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• Stein, D. J., Costa, D. L. C., Lochner, C., Miguel, E. C., Reddy, Y. C. J., Shavitt, R. G., van den Heuvel, O. A., & Simpson, H. B. (2019). Obsessive–compulsive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 5(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0102-3
• Swierkosz-Lenart, K., Dos Santos, J. F. A., Elowe, J., Clair, A.-H., Bally, J. F., Riquier, F., Bloch, J., Draganski, B., Clerc, M.-T., Pozuelo Moyano, B., von Gunten, A., & Mallet, L. (2023). Therapies for obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current state of the art and perspectives for approaching treatment-resistant patients. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1065812
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