Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Examination

This report provides a comprehensive overview of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It begins with an introduction to the disorder, differentiating between obsessions and compulsions. The report then delves into the differential diagnoses of OCD, highlighting its similarities with other disorders such as depression, phobias, and schizophrenia, and emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis. The medical examination section discusses physical examinations and psychological assessments, including screening questions and the role of serotonin dysfunction. The report further outlines treatment plans, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacological interventions like N-acetylcysteine, olanzapine, clomipramine, fluoxetine, and paroxetine. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of differential diagnosis and the various treatment modalities available for managing OCD. The report is well-supported by references to relevant research and studies.

Running Head= OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER 0
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, screening and treatment
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder 1
Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Differential diagnoses..................................................................................................................................2
Medical examination of OCD......................................................................................................................2
Treatment plan and Medication...................................................................................................................3
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................4
Reference.....................................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder that can be further
subcategorized in various other disorders; obsession is associated with repeated and persistent
urges which could be considered unwanted (Sahmelikoglu, et al., 2016). Whereas, compulsion is
associated with the repeated action that is perfumed due to the urges created at the time of
obsession (Doumy & Aouizerate, 2014). The following report will briefly discuss the differential
diagnoses, medical examination and treatment plan for OCD.
Differential diagnoses
The inclusion of OCD as a separate chapter in DSM 5 is indicative of an increased
number of cases for the same. However, a differential diagnosis is required for OCD as its
symptoms are majorly similar to other disorders reported along with it in DSM 5. The primary
differential diagnosis in the patient suffering from OCD is comorbid depressive symptoms.
Moreover, the differential diagnosis includes disorders related to some sort of phobia, anakastic
personality and schizophrenia. The study reported by (Oulis, Konstantakopoulos, Lykouras, &
Michalopoulou, 2013), indicated that an average of 12.6 % and 25 % of patients are diagnosed
with OCD or obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) respectively along with the schizophrenic
disorders. Therefore the differential diagnosis is a primary requirement for the segmentation of
the disorder to provide relevant medication and therapy.
Medical examination of OCD
The physical examinations associate with OCD is the visualization of skin or hair as in
the case of some form of OCD such as trichotillomania and skin-picking disorder. Both are the

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form of OCD with the former is related to pulling of hairs of the self and the latter as the name
suggested related picking of skin. The disorders as trichotillomania and skin-picking lead to
considerable wastage of time along with physical disfigurement (Grant & Chamberlain, 2015).
Studies have been reported that the dysfunction serotonin is a major diagnostic symptom of OCD
(Fenske & Schwenk, 2009). In terms of psychological test some screening questions can be used
such as patient could be asked regarding frequent unwanted thoughts, what activity patient
perform to get rid of those thoughts, any repeated behavior consuming a large quantity of the day
time, repeated washing and cleaning, if any of the above-mentioned activity troubles the patient
along with it historic perspective of the patient should be studied for the understanding of OCD
and the type OCD from which patient is suffering (Stasik, Naragon-Gainey, Chmielewski, &
Watson, 2012).
Treatment plan and Medication
In the case of a patient suffering from trichotillomania and skin-picking disorder
pharmacological treatment with the application of N-acetylcysteine or olanzapine has been
reported, however, behavioral therapy has been considered one of the most effective therapies
for both the cases (Grant & Chamberlain, 2015). The medical professional can suggest any
therapy such as Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT ) for the treatment of OCD, the primary the
objective of this therapy is to replace negative mental framework which produces negative
thought to a positive framework, to induce positive though formation in a patient (Psychology
Today, 2020). In terms of the pharmacological pathway a specialist could suggest following
drugs clomipramine, fluoxetine and paroxetine depending on the patient condition and other
health issues if any along with the age of patient (Pathak, 2018).

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Conclusion
OCD is one of the major mental health issue faced by the public in recent years, the
severity of the issue is evident as it was included as a separate chapter in DSM 5. Differential
diagnosis is a prerequisite for the detection of OCD as several other mental disorders are having
similar symptoms as OCD. The treatment of OCD could be carried out using CBT or through the
pharmacological pathway.

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Reference
Doumy, O., & Aouizerate, B. (2014). The OCD spectrum disorder revisited. Toward a bipolar
impulsion-compulsion configuration. Presse medicale, 118-123.
Fenske, J. N., & Schwenk, T. L. (2009). Obsessive compulsive disorder: diagnosis and
management. American family physician, 239-245.
Grant, J. E., & Chamberlain, S. R. (2015). Trichotillomania and Skin-Picking Disorder: Different
Kinds of OCD. Focus, 184-189.
Oulis, P., Konstantakopoulos, G., Lykouras, L., & Michalopoulou, G. P. (2013). Differential
diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive symptoms from delusions in schizophrenia: a
phenomenological approach. World journal of psychiatry, 50.
Pathak, N. (2018, February 12). What Are the Treatments for OCD? Retrieved March 23, 2020,
from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/understanding-obsessive-
compulsive-disorder-treatment#2
Psychology Today. (2020, March 23). Types of Therapy . Retrieved March 23, 2020, from
Psychology Today : https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/types-of-therapy
Sahmelikoglu, O. O., Tabo, A., Aydin, E., Tuna, O., Maner, A. F., Yildirim, E. A., et al. (2016).
Relationship between impulsivity and obsession types in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice, 218-223.

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Stasik, S. M., Naragon-Gainey, K., Chmielewski, M., & Watson, D. (2012). Core OCD
symptoms: exploration of specificity and relations with psychopathology. Journal of
anxiety disorders, 859-870.